Improvements in Means for Steering Perambulators and other similar Vehicles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1391
Complete Specification Left. 23rd Mar., 1892-Accepted, 23rd Apr., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Steering Perambulators and other
similar Vehicles.
I RICHARD BOWKER, of Diglis Road, in the City of Worcester, Potter do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in mechanism to facilitate primarily the
steering of perambulators, but which may also be applied to bath chairs, or other
similar vehicles.
It consists in connecting the handle cross bar with the axle of the front wheel or
wheels or with the axle of the rear wheels, but preferably the former after the
following manner:
In connecting the handle to the front axle, I should proceed somewhat thus:-
The front axle is pivot upon a central pin or its equivalent, and preferably provided
with a circular trunnion bearing plate to carry the upper trunnion plate or cross
bar, to which the springs are secured which carry the front part of the carriage.
To this front axle or the surrounding plate is secured a crank pin which is
engaged by a slot or forked end in the fore end of a lever. This lever consists of
the handle and back irons being extended beneath the body and there working
upon a pivot, and thence extending to the aforesaid crank pin upon the trunnion
plate..
Thus by moving the handle to the right or left, so the front axle is moved in a
similar manner; the front wheels being thus entirely under the control of the
propeller.
In some instances, the back irons or handle (lever) may be carried direct to and
connected firmly with the front axle or the trunnion bearing plate, so that the said
front axle and the handle will work together as one piece.
Again, instead of operating upon the front axle, I may connect the handle irons
to the rear axle direct, and so steer the vehicle by means of the said rear axle
alone, in which case the said axle would be pivoted or if preferred
may further
connect this rear axle by means of rods with the front axle parallel or crosswise, so
that both axles may simultaneously be operated.
In each of these cases it will be observed that the handle is connected to a
pivoted steering axle direct.
The said parts may be modified in detail to suit requirements of design or build
of vehicle, also for the carrying or supporting of such parts to accomplish their
effective working.
Dated this 22nd day of June 1891.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Steering Perambulators and other
similar Vehicles.
I RICHARD BOWKER, of Diglis Road, in the City of Worcester Potter, 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 improvements in mechanism to facilitate primarily, the

page_text: steering of perambulators, but which may also be applied to bath chairs, or other
similar vehicles.
It consists in connecting the handle cross bar with the pivotted axle of the front
wheel or wheels or with the pivotted axle of the rear wheels, but preferably the
former, after the manner hereinafter described.
In order to facilitate the explanation of this my invention, I have appended
hereunto illustrative sheets of drawings, upon which are figures and numbers of
reference similar numbers referring throughout the several views to the same thing
or part.
Fig. 1, is a side view, and Fig. 2, an inverted plan view of one form of this my
invention.
Figs. 3 and 4, are detailed views of the handle lever.
Fig. 5, is a side view and Fig. 6, an inverted plan view, and Fig. 7, an end view
of a modified form of this my invention.
Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11, being detailed views of the handle levers employed in this
modification.
Fig. 12, is a side view, and Fig. 13, an inverted plan view, and Fig. 14, an end
view of a further modification of this my invention.
Fig. 15, is a side view and Fig. 16, a plan view of the lever in detail employed
in Figs. 12 to 14.
Fig. 17, is a side view and Fig. 18, an end view of a further modified application
of this my invention.
Figs. 19, and 20, being side views in detail of the levers employed in Figs. 17
and 18.
Fig. 21, is a side view and Fig. 22, an end view of a modified application of this
my invention to a single front steering wheel.
Figs. 23 and 24 are detailed side and plan views of the handle lever.
Fig. 25, is a side view, Fig. 26 an inverted plan view, and Fig. 27, an end view
of my invention as applied direct to a front steering axle.
Figs. 28 and 29, are side and plan views in detail of the handle lever.
In Figs. 1 to 4, to the body 1, of the perambulator &c., is connected the springs 2.
In this case the rear axle 3, is bolted or riveted fast to the said springs. To the
front part of the springs is rigidly secured the cross bar 4. At the centre 5, of this
cross bar, is a pivot upon which the front axle 6, may rotate. Secured to the
upper side of the axle 6, is a trunnion plate 7, having a stud pin 8, upon which the
slot 9, of the handle lever 10 takes. This lever 10, is carried upon and turns upon
the pin 11, which is securely riveted to the axle 3, and thereby forming a fulcrum
for the said lever. The upper end of this lever is guided and controlled by the
bracket 12, which is secured to the body of the vehicle, i may or may not employ
an antifriction roller 13. At the upper end of the lever is provided any suitable
handle. Thus its action is as follows:-By moving the handle to the right or the
left, the front axle is turned about its centre 5, and thereby the course or path of
the front wheels changed in their direction of travelling.
It will be seen that the pin 11, is made long, and upon the lever 10, is provided
an outstanding bracket 14, so that the pin 11, passes through the hole both in main
part of the lever at 15 and at 14 (see Fig. 3). By this means the twisting action
of the lever, when being used, is obviated, which would otherwise take place, if the
fulerum pin merely passed through the lever at 15. This explanation as to the
long fulcrum pin and the provision therefor upon the actuating lever also applies
to pins 11, 11, 11, &c., and levers 10°, 10% and 10%, &c., upon the subsequent
views.
In Figs. 5 to 11, inclusive, I have shown a modification in the lever arrangement,
in which 1, is the body of the vehicle, 2, are the springs, 3" is the rear axle,
which as before is rigidly connected to the springs 2ª. The piece 4, is also secured
to the said springs, while the trunnion plate 7", is also secured to the axle 6".
this case however, the handle lever 10, is pivoted or turned upon the fulcrum
pin 11", which is passed upwards through the axle 6, lever 10", and the cross
In

page_text: bars 4 and 20. Carried upon the fulcrum pin 16, which is fixed upon the rear
axle, is the lever 17, whose slot 9, engages with the stud pin 8, and which further
has fixed thereon the pin 18, which is engaged in the slot 19, in the lever 10.
Thus again by moving the handle end of the lever 10" to the right or left, the
pin 18, is moved, and thereby the lever 17, which in its order turns the axle 6",
about its centre 5, and thereby determines the direction of the path of the
vehicle.
Again. In Figs. 12 to 16 inclusive, is shown a further modification of this my
invention in which the steering is effected by the rear axle 3°. In this case the
handle lever 10, is pivoted upon the pin 11, which is rigidly connected to the
front axle 6h. 4 and 20, are the cross bars connected to the springs 2b, which
carry the central pivot 5b, upon which the axle 3" turns. As before, the trunnion
plate 7, is rigidly connected to the axle 3, and has upon its top side the stud
pin 8, which is engaged by the slot 19*. Thus it will be readily seen again,
that upon moving the handle lever 10b, to the right or left, the stud pin 8, will
be correspondingly moved, and consequently the axle 3 will be turned about
its centre 5, and hence the direction of travel of the vehicle will be changed
accordingly.
In Figs. 17 to 20 inclusive I have shown a further modified application of this
my invention, as applied to a single front steering wheel, in which the handle
lever 10, is pivoted upon pin 11, the said pin passing through the cross bar 4,
and cross bar 20%, both of which latter are rigidly secured at each end to the
springs 2. This pin 11, and the trunnion plate 7, and the front axle bracket 21,
are all made in one, that is, are rigidly connected to each other and move as one
piece. Upon the trunnion plate 7, is the stud pin 8, which is operated by forked
slot at 9b, in the lever 17, which latter is carried upon the pivot pin 16", which is
rigid with the axle 3°.
The action of this arrangement will therefore be understood as follows:-Upon
moving the handle lever 10°, to the right or left, it will turn about the central
pin 11, when its stud pin 18°, will move the trunnion plate 7, by means of the slot
at 9 moving the stud pin 8, and thus again the direction or course of the travel of
the vehicle will be accordingly governed.
In Figs. 21 to 24 inclusive I have shown a further modification in the application
of this my invention to a single front steering wheel, in which, the lever 10 is
pivoted upon the pin 11. This pin 11%, and the wheel bracket 21, are both in
one piece, and from the latter extends the arm 22, at the end of which is formed
the stud pin 8. This stud pin 8, is engaged by the slot 19 in the lever 10d.
The cross bars 4d and 20°, again form the bearings or support for the pin 11.
Thus again, by moving the lever 100 to the right or left, the stud pin 8", is
moved correspondingly, and thereby the direction of the travel of the vehicle
changed.
Again. In Figs. 25 to 29 inclusive, I have shown a modification of this my
invention, which is somewhat similar to that shown and described in Figs. 1 to 4.
In this case the front axle 6, swivels upon the pin 11. This pin 11, passes
through and is held in position by the cross bars 4 and 20", both of which latter
are riveted to the springs 2º. As before the trunnion plate 7, is secured to the
axle 6, and is also similarly provided with stud pin 8 which passes through the
hole 19, in the lever 10, which latter is swivelled on the pin 11.
Thus again, upon moving the lever 10e to the right or left, the stud pin 8°, is
moved and with it the trunnion plate 7d and the axle 6º, and consequently the
direction of the travel of the vehicle is changed at will.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
1 claim is
1. In mechanism for the steering of perambulators and such like vehicles, the
combination of the handle lever 10, carried upon the pivot pin 11, and having

page_text: the forked slot 9, with the moveable le '6, pivoted at 5, having the trunnion
plate 7, and stud pin 8, constricted and operating substantially as described and
shown in Figs. 1 'to 4.
'élit
2. The modified combination of the handle lever 10, carried upon the pivot
pin 11, and having the slot. 19, 'with the lever 17, pivoted on pin 16, having
stud pin 18, and slot 9, engaging with the 'stud 'pin "8", on the trunnion plate 7",
carried upon the movable axle 6", constructed and operating substantially as
described and shown in Figs. 5 to 11.
3. The modification described and illustrated in Figs. 12 to 16 that is 'to say,
the combination of the handle lever 10° carried upon pin 11, and having slot 19ª,
with the stud 8b on trunnion plate 7%, carried upon movable rear axle 3%, all sub-
stantially as set forth and shown.
4. The modified combination and adaptation of this my invention as described
and illustrated in Figs. 17 to 20, that is to say, the combination of the handle
lever 10, having the stud pin 18, and the lever 17", with the pivot pin 11,
trunnion plate 7, movable axle bracket 21, all substantially as set forth and
.shown.
5. The modified combination and adaptation of this my invention as described
and illustrated in Figs. 21 to 24, that is to say, the combination of the lever 10
with the pin 11, bracket 21" having the arm 22, and stud pin '84, all substantially
as set forth and shown.
6. The modification of this my invention as described and illustrated in Figs. 25
to 29, that is to say -The combination of the handle lever 10%, with the pin 11,
trunnion plate 7d and stud pin 8, and axle 6 all substantially as set forth and
shown.
Dated this 22nd day of March 1809
CHARLES T. POWELL,
12, Cherry Street, Birmingham, Applicant's Agent.