AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF AXLES APPLICABLE TO ALL KINDS OF VEHICLES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
SYSTEM OF AXLES APPLICABLE TO ALL KINDS OF VEHICLES." A communi-
cation from abroad by Jean François Casimir Noel-Woullemier, of Paris,
France
Sealed the 3rd September 1878, and dated the 15th March 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th March 1878.
"
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF AXLES APPLICABLE TO ALL KINDs of
VEHICLES." [A communication from abroad by Jean François Casimir Noel-
Woullemier, of Paris, France.]
This Invention relates to an improved system of axles for obtaining or increasing
motive power, the said axles being applicable to all kinds of vehicles.
These improved axles instead of being straight, and placed at the centre of the
wheel as usual. are cranked at the ends, and connected eccentrically to the wheels.
The advantage of such an arrangement is that the weight of the vehicle will be
brought to bear on the wheels at points out of the centre, and will consequently
tend to turn the wheels, and thus become a motive power for propelling the vehicle
when once it is started.
If the vehicle has four wheels, the cranked ends of the axles would stand in as
many different positions with regard to each other, so that the weight may act on
four different points, and be constantly in equilibrium, or six in the case of a six-
wheeled vehicle, and so on, and thereby impart a continuous progressive movement
to the wheels when the vehicle is once started, for which purpose but a very slight
impulse is required.
""
These axles are applicable to all kinds of vehicles, whether for railways or
common roads, the wheels being specially adapted for the purpose, as herein-
before described.

page_text: The axles may also be made in two parts fitted to turn one on the other to a
limited or unlimited extent; or instead of the above arrangements the axle may be
made in three parts, the centre part being fixed, and the two end or cranked portions
being fitted to turn either to a limited or unlimited extent thereon. In this manner
one of the two wheels on the same axle is free to turn faster than the other, to the
extent of a portion of a revolution, or of one or more complete revolutions in turning
round or in running in curves.
The axle, instead of turning in two boxes or bearings as usual, may be mounted
in one long bearing.
In order that the Invention may be more readily understood, I have illustrated
in the accompanying Drawing several arrangements of double-cranked axles, and
also the same applied to a pedo-motive carriage for use on railroads, Figure 1 being
a side view of the carriage; Figure 2, an end view; and Figure 3, a plan of same.
a, frame; b, platform; c, seats, of which there is one for each pair of wheels;
d, axle having cranked ends &, d', revolving in bearings e; f, wheels with single
diametrical spokes and bosses at about four inches from the centre to receive
the cranked ends d¹ of the axles; g, treadle on each crank' d' by which the
wheels are rotated.
Figure 4 shows a longitudinal view, and Figure 5 a transverse section on line 1-2,
Figure 4, of a double-cranked axle formed in two parts, the cranked part ' being fitted
to turn to a limited extent, say, one-fourth or one-fifth of a revolution upon part h.
For this purpose, parts h, h², are formed with and connected by a clutch at having
a certain amount of play, so that they may turn independently to a limited extent.
The two parts may also be keyed or otherwise connected together.
Figure 6 shows a double-cranked axle formed in three parts, the centre portion h
being fixed, and the two ends h¹, h, fitted to turn on ½ to a limited extent as
before.
Figure 7 shows a double-cranked axle formed in two parts h, h', the one part
being fitted to turn freely upon the other to an unlimited extent.
Figure 8 shows a double-cranked axle made in three parts, a fixed centre portion h
and two moveable portions h², h, at either end capable of turning independently of
the part h to an unlimited extent.
Figure 9 shows a longitudinal section, and Figure 10 a cross section on line 3-4,
Figure 9, of a double-cranked axle made in one piece, and turning in a long tubular
bearing, in lieu of the ordinary separate bearings or axle boxes; d, axle; j, long
bearing formed in two parts united by bolts k and attached to the frame of the
vehicle.
To avoid friction, the middle part of the bearing is bored out larger than the
ends, as shown. This bearing is adaptable to all the forms of axles herein referred to.
The pedo-motive railway carriage, Figures 1, 2, and 3, is convertible into a
trolly by removing the seats and pedals, and modifying the construction of the
frame.
According to another arrangement, the axle is bifurcated at each end, so as to
form double cranks which are received in eccentric hubs in the wheel diametrically
opposite one another, the cranks at the one end of the axle being at right angles to
those at the other.
The following advantages are derived from this arrangement:-
1st. In the case of the driving axles of locomotives, for example, greater strength is
obtained with the same diameter of axle, or the same strength with an axle of less
diameter.
2nd. When used for traction, such as the axles of all kinds of carriages, tramway,
and other vehicles, greater strength is obtained, and there is less twisting strain on
the axle.
These axles may be forged in one piece or made in parts fitted together, and may
either turn in two separate bearings as usual, or in one long bearing; they may also
be made in two parts, so as to turn independently of each other in passing curves of
small radius.

page_text: Figures 11 and 12 show longitudinal and end views of one form of axle made in
a single piece to turn in separate bearings; a, axle; b, b, double cranks at each end
of axle; c, c, axle journals."
Figure 13 shows a part sectional longitudinal view of another form in which each
end à of the axle is double cranked at b, b, and fitted to turn independently of the
middle portion a.
Figure 14 shows a longitudinal section; and Figure 15, a cross section on line 1—2,
Figure 14, of an axle made in one piece, and turning in a long bearing e fixed to
the under frame of the vehicle, the bearing being made in two parts embracing the
axle, as shown in Figure 15.
The axle may also be otherwise formed, the essential feature of novelty being the
twin.cranks of equal radius at each end fixed in the wheel at opposite points of the
same diameter.
Figure 16 shows a side elevation of a motive carriage for use on railways;
Figure 17, an end elevation; and Figure 18, a plan of same.
3, frame of vehicle; g, platform; h, seats; i, fore axle, having a single crank jat
each end fixed in eccentric bosses of the fore wheels k, as in the first-described
arrangement; m, treadles fixed on cranks j, and by which the rutation of the wheels
is maintained; a, rear axle, bifurcated or double cranked at each end b, b; n, n, hind
wheels to which the cranks b, b, are fixed at o, o, equidistant from the centre ;
P. P, bearings of axles i, a.
In the modified arrangements, Figures 19, 20, 21, and 22,—
1st. A small square axle passes through a hole at the centre of the wheel, and is
there held rigidly out of contact therewith by arms fixed at opposite points of the
wheel, one on either side. The advantage of this mode of hanging the wheel is,
that it may be applied to vehicles with a single wheel, such as wheelbarrows, or to
those having two or more wheels, such as velocipedes, char-á-banes, carts, and other
vehicles generally for rail or common roads.
Figures 19 and 20 show a face view and section of an improved wheel for wheel-
barrows. a, square axle supported by arms b bolted to wheel c on opposite sides of
the centre, which is hollow to allow the axle a to pass through it without touching;
d, journals of axle a turning in the frame of the wheelbarrow or vehicle; c, cranks
and pedals for driving the wheel when applied to a velocipede; or the axle may
be made in two parts, each firmly secured to the ends of the supporting arms, so as
to avoid weakening the wheel, as shown in face view in Figure 21, and in vertical
section on line 1-2, in Figure 22. u, wheel; b, spoke supporting arms c securely
attached at two points d on either side of the centre of the wheel; e, journals or
axles on which the frame of the carriage, wheelbarrow; velocipede, or other vehicle
is supported.
By combining a number of wheels mounted eccentrically upon an axle pro-
vided with a series of cranks, a motor is formed which may be used for raising
water, or for driving lathes, fret saws, and other light machinery. This motor
is shown in front and end elevation in Figures 23 and 24.. a is the multi-cranked
axle mounted in bearings b; c, c, fly wheels mounted eccentrically on the cranks of
the axle a, which serve to store the motive power to be transmitted to the pulley d;
e, winch handle for turning axle a; f, Figure 24, pulley driven by the belt g on
driving pulley d; h, rope coiled on a drum keyed on the shaft of pulley f, which
may be used for raising water or other weight; i, ratchet wheel, and j pawl for
preventing the unwinding of the rope when the machine ceases working."
It will be understood that two, three, or more eccentric fly wheels may be employed,
according to the power required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th September 1878.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF AXLES APPLICABLE TO ALL KINDS OF
VEHICLES." A communication from abroad by Jean François Casimir Noel-
Woullemier, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to an improved system of axles for obtaining or increasing
motive power, the said axles being applicable to all kinds of vehicles.
These improved axles, instead of being straight and placed at the centre of
the wheel as usual, are cranked at the ends, and connected eccentrically to the
wheels.
The advantage of such an arrangement is that the weight of the vehicle will be
brought to bear on the wheels at points out of the centre, and will consequently
tend to turn the wheels, and thus become a motive power for propelling the vehicle
when once it is started.
The cranked ends of the axles would in the case of a four-wheeled vehicle be in
four different positions with regard to each other, or six in the case of a six-wheeled
vehicle, and so on, so that the weight may act on as many different points, and be
never in equilibrium, whereby a continuous progressive movement will he imparted
to the wheels when the vehicle is once started, for which purpose but a very slight
impulse is required.
These axles are applicable to all kinds of vehicles, whether for railways or
'common roads, the wheels being specially constructed for the latter purpose, as
herein-before described.
The axles may also be made in two parts fitted to turn one on the other to a
limited or unlimited extent; or, instead of the above arrangements, the axle may
be made in three parts, the centre part being fixed, and the two end or cranked
portions being fitted to turn either to a limited or unlimited extent thereon. In
this manner one of the two wheels on the same axle is free to turn faster than the
other to the extent of a portion of a revolution, or one or more complete revolutions,
in turning round or running in curves.
The axle, instead of turning in two boxes or bearings as usual, may be mounted
in one long bearing.
In order that the Invention may be more readily understood, I have illustrated
in the accompanying Drawings several arrangements of double-cranked axles, and
also the same applied to a pedo-motive carriage for use on railroads, Figure 1
being a side view of the carriage; Figure 2, an end view; and Figure 3, a plan of
same.
a, frame; b, platform; c, seats, of which there is one for each pair of wheels; d,
axle having cranked ends; d, d', revolving in bearings e fixed to frame a;, wheel's
with single diametrical spokes and bosses at about four inches from the centre
to receive the cranked ends d' of the axles; g, treadle on each crank d' by which
the wheels are rotated.
•
Figure 4 shows a longitudinal view; and Figure 5, a transverse section on line
1-2, Figure 4, of a double-cranked axle formed in two parts, the cranked part h¹
being fitted to turn to a limited extent, say, one-fourth or one-fifth of a revolution
upon part h. For this purpose parts h, h, are formed with aud connected by a
clutch at i having a certain amount of play, so that they may turn independently
to a limited extent. The two parts may also be keyed or otherwise connected
together.
Figure 6 shows a double-cranked axle, formed in three parts, of the centre
portion h, being fixed, and the two ends h¹, h', fitted to turn on h to a limited
hafen

page_text: Figure 7 shows a double-cranked axle formed in two paris h, h', the one part
being fitted to turn freely upon the other to an unlimited extent.
Figure 8 shows a double-cranked axle made in three parts, a fixed centre portion
h, and two movable portions h' h¹, at either end, capable of turning independently
of the part h to an unlimited extent.
Figure 9 shows a longitudinal section; and Figure 10, a cross section on
line 3-4, Figure 9, of a double-cranked axle made in one piece, and turning in a
long tubular bearing in lieu of the ordinary separate bearings or axle boxes. d,
axle; j, long bearing formed in two parts united by bolts k, and attached to the
frame of the vehicle.
To avoid friction the middle part of the bearing is bored out larger than the
ends, as shown. This bearing is adaptable to all the forms of axes, as herein
referred to.
The pedo-motive railway carriage, Figures 1, 2, and 3, is convertible into a
trolly by removing the seats and pedals, and modifying the construction of the
frame.
According to another arrangement the axle is bifurcated at each end, so as to
form double cranks which are recessed in eccentric hubs in the wheel diametrically
opposite one another, the cranks at the one end of the axle being at right angles to
those of the other.
The following advantages are derived from this arrangement:-
1st. In the case of the driving axles of locomotives, for example, greater strength
is obtained with the same diameter of axle, or the same strength with an axle of less
diameter.
2nd. When used for traction, such as the axles of all kinds of carriages, tramway,
and other vehicles, greater strength is obtained, and there is less twisting strain on
the axle.
These axles may be forged in one piece or made in parts fitted together, and
may either turn in two separate bearings as usual or in one long bearing; they
may also be made in two parts, so as to turn independently of each other in passing
curves of small radius.
Figures 11 and 12 show longitudinal and end views of one form of axle made in
a single piece to turn in separate bearings. a, axle; b, b, double cranks at each
end of axle; c, c, axle journals.
Figure 13 shows a part sectional longitudinal view of another form, in which
each end d of the axle is double cranked at b, b, and fitted to turn independently of
the middle portion a.
Figure 14 shows a longitudinal section; and Figure 15, a cross section on line
1--2, Figure 14, of an axle made in one piece, and turning in a long bearing e
fixed to the under frame of the vehicle, the bearing being made in two parts
embracing the axle, as shown in Figure 15.
The axle may also be otherwise formed, the essential feature of novelty which
1 claim in respect hereof being the twin cranks of equal radius at each end fixed in
the wheel at opposite points of the same diameter.
Figure 16 shows a side elevation of a motive carriage for use on railways; Figure
17, an end elevation; and Figure 18, a plan of same.
The same letters refer to the same parts in these three Figures.
f, frame of vehicle; g, platform; h, seats; i, fore axle having a single crank jat
each end, fixed in eccentric bosses of the fore wheels k, as in the first-described
arrangement; m, treadles fixed on crank j by which the rotation of the wheels is
maintained; a, rear axle bifurcated or double cranked at each end b, b; n, n, hind
wheels to which the cranks b, b, are fixed at o, o, equidistant from the centre; p, p,
bearings of axles i, a.
According to the modifications represented in Figures 19, 20, 21, and 22,-
1st. A small square axle passes through a hole at the centre of the wheel, and is
there held rigidly out of contact therewith by arms fixed at opposite points of the
wheel, one on either side. The advantage of this mode of hanging the wheel is that

page_text: it may be applied to vehicles with a single wheel, such as wheelbarrows, or to those
having two or more wheels, such as velocipedes, char-à-bancs, carts, and other
vehicles generally for rail or common roads.
2nd. The axle does not pass through the wheel, but is made in two parts attached
one to each arm.
Figures 19 and 20 show a face view and section of an improved wheel for wheel-
barrows. a, square axle, supported by arms b bolted to wheel c on opposite sides
of the centre, the axle a passing through a hole bored in the diametrical spoke
of the wheel without touching it; d, journals of axle a turning in the frame
of the wheelbarrow or vehicle; e, cranks and pedals for driving the wheel when
applied to a velocipede; or the axle may be made in two parts, each firmly
secured to the ends of the supporting arms, so as to avoid weakening the wheel,
as shown in face view in Figure 21, and in vertical section on line 1-2 in Figure
22. In these two Figures the same letters indicate the same parts. a, wheel;
b, spoke or oval hub supporting arms c securely attached at two points don
either side of the centre of the wheel; e, journals or axles on which the frame of
the carriage, wheelbarrow, velocipede, or other vehicle is supported.
By combining a number of wheels mounted eccentrically upon an axle provided
with a series of cranks a motor is formed which may be used for raising water, or
for driving Inthes, fret saws, and other light machinery. This motor is shown in
front and end elevation in Figures 23 and 24. a is the multi-crauked axle mounted
in bearings b; c, c, fly wheels mounted eccentrically on the cranks of the axle a,
which serve to store the motive power to be transmitted to the pulley d; c, winch
handle for turning axle a; f, Figure 24, pulley, driven by the belt g on driving
pulley d; h, rope coiled on a drum keyed on the shaft of pulley f, which may be
used for raising water or other weight; i, ratchet wheel; and j, pawl for preventing
the unwinding of the rope when the machine ceases working.
It will be understood that two, three, or more eccentric fly wheels may be
employed, according to the power required.
Figure 25 represents a grooved pulley mounted on a cranked axis, and used for
raising weights. a, pulley; and b, crank arms fixed thereto at opposite points con
either side of the centre; c, journals fixed to arms b, and mounted in the
frame e; f, chain running in the groove of the pulley a; g, bucket or other load
to be raised.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One