Improvement in or connected with Whiffle-trees and Draw-gear for Road Vehicles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 16th July, 1895-Accepted, 17th Aug., 1395
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in or connected with Whiffle-trees and Draw-gear for
Road Vehicles.
1, JOHANN SCHIFFER, Blacksmith, of Kaiserwertherstrasse, Düsseldorf, in
the German Empire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has for its object, to equalize the tractive effort of horses and to
reduce the effect of shocks on the draught animals and the traces.
The improved whiffle-tree consists of three principal parts, namely, a balance-
lever or main beam, pivoted in the centre to the frame of the vehicle, and bent
forward at its ends; and two double armed side levers, each of which is pivoted
near its centre to one of the ends of the said balance lever. The inner end of each
side lever rests on a helically coiled spring (or other suitable spring) held by the
main lever, while the outer end of each side lever is connected with one of the
single-trees to which the traces are attached.
In starting the vehicle, the outer ends of the two side levers are pulled forward
by the tractive effort of the draught animals, thereby causing the inner ends of
the side levers to recede by compressing the springs (against the main beam), which
act as buffers between the traces and the carriage frame.
Euch of the two springs is preferably coiled on a spindle secured at one end to
the main beam, and the inner ends of the two side levers may be connected by a
strip of leather or other flexible device.
The outer ends of the side levers may be directly connected with the traces,
instead of attaching them to single-trees.
The pressure of the springs or the length of the side arms may be adjustable, and
the same device may be utilized also as a dynamometer to indicate the tractive
effort of the horses, by means of a pointer which is controlled by the compression
of the springs.
Dated this 17th day of October 1894.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in or connected with Whiffle-trees and Draw-gear for
Road Vehicles.
I, JOHANN SCHIFFER, Blacksmith, of Kaiserwertberstrasse, Düsseldorf, in
the German Empire, 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 has for its object, to equalize the tractive effort of horses and to
reduce the effect of shocks on the draught animals and the traces.

page_text: In the accom
ng drawings:
Fig. 1 is a plan of a whiffle tree embodying my invention,
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same,
Fig. 3 shows the same, when in action,
Figs. 4 and 5 represent modifications,
Fig. 6 is a detail view on a larger scale.
The improved while tree consists of three principal parts, namely, a balance
lever or main beam a pivoted in the centre to the frame of the vehicle and bent
forward at its ends; and two double armed side levers, b, b, each of which is
pivoted near its centre to one of the ends of the said balance lever. The inner end
of each side lever brests on a helically coiled spring for other suitable spring)
held by the lever a, while the outer end of each side lever is connected with one of
the single-trees to which the traces are attached.
In starting the vehicle, the outer ends of the two side levers are pulled forward
by the tractive effort of the draught animals, thereby causing the inner ends of the
side levers to recede by compressing the springs f,f, (as indicated by Fig. 3) which
act as buffers between the traces and the carriage frame.
Each of the two springs is preferably coiled up a spindle secured at one end to
the main beam a, and the inner ends of the two side levers may be connected by
a strip of deather s or other flexible device, as indicated.
1
'
The outer ends of the side levers may be directly connected with the traces,
instead of attaching them to single-trees.
The pressure of the springs may be adjustable, and the same device may be
utilised also as a dynamometer to indicate the tractive effort of the horses, by
means of a pointer which is controlled by the compression of the springs.
.
Having pow 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
A whiffle tree comprising in its construction a main beam a and two double-
armed side-levers b.supported by springs f, f, substantially as described and for the
purpose specified.
Dated this 11th day of July 1895.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents.