Improvements in Self-propelled Road Carriages and their Wheels.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 4th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 6th Jan., 1900
Improvements in Self-propelled Road Carriages and their Wheels.
WILLIAM HUCKS, Engineer, of 22, Oval Road, Camden Town, in the County of
London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists of a platform supported in a pendulous manner by the
axles of four wheels the said platform being used for the purpose of carrying the
merchandise load only. Two of these wheels are ordinary vehicle wheels, free
to revolve on the ends of their axle and to be used for steering purposes; to this
said axle, is attached one end of the before mentioned platform in the pendulous
manner mentioned.
The other two wheels are in a like manner, free to revolve at the ends of their
axle; this said axle supporting the other end of the aforementioned platform,
also in a pendulous manner.
The two last mentioned wheels, are preferably not less than five feet in diameter,
and their tires are so much wider than their felloes, as to form on one side of
them a rim or ring. Within the rim or ring, of each of these said wheels are
placed two dise wheels with their axles coupled tandemwise, and being in free
rolling contact with the inside circumference of the aforesaid rim or ring. The
aforementioned coupled disc wheels support on their peripheries a third disc
wheel, the three wheels being in pyramidical rolling contact with each other.
These third disc wheels are actuated by the motor, and the shaft carrying
them runs in bearings supported by a framework rigidly attached to the axle of
the two first named ordinary vehicle wheels, and the said framework carries the
weight of the motor, generator etc.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-The third disc wheels being
revolved by the motor, transmit a rolling movement to the coupled disc wheels,
causing them to climb the rims or rings, and setting in motion the frame carry-
ing the motor &c. and thus, the ordinary vehicle wheels to which it is attached.
This forward movement of the said ordinary vehicle wheels, the axle of which is
supporting in the pendulous manner described the platform carrying the mer-
chandise load, causes the centre of gravity of the said load to be disturbed,
imparting to it a similar forward movement.
As this platform is suspended as before described from the axle of the large
wheels, these are in turn pushed forward by the aforementioned platform, and
thus the whole carriage is set in motion.
Dated this Fourth day of March 1899.

page_text: formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My invention consists of a platform supported in a pendulous manner by the
axles of four wheels the said platform being used for the purpose of carrying the
merchandise load only.
Two of the wheels are ordinary vehicle wheels, free to revolve on the end of
their axle and to be used for steering purposes.
To this said axle is attached one end of the before mentioned platform in the
pendulous manner mentioned. The other two wheels are in a like manner free
to revolve at the ends of their axle; this said axle supporting the other end of
the aforementioned platform also in a pendulous manner.
The two last mentioned wheels are preferably not less than five feet in diameter,
and their tires are so much wider than their felloes as to form on one side of
them a rim or ring.
Within the rim or ring of each of these said wheels are placed two disc
wheels with their axles coupled tandemwise, and being in free rolling contact
with the inside circumference of the aforesaid rim or ring. The aforementioned
coupled dise wheels support on their peripheries a third disc wheel the three
wheels being in pyramidical rolling contact with each other.
The third disc wheels are actuated by the motor, and the shaft carrying them
runs in bearings supported by a framework rigidly attached to the axle of the
two first named ordinary vehicle wheels, and the said framework carries the
weight of motor, generator &c.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-Fig. 1. The third disc wheels A
being revolved by the motor in the direction indicated by the arrow transmit
a rolling movement in a reverse direction to the coupled disc wheels B B, causing
them to climb the rims or rings C of the large wheels C, and setting in motion
the frame carrying the motor &c. and thereby the ordinary vehicle wheels E
to which it is attached. This forward movement of the said ordinary vehicle
wheels E, the axle of which is supporting in a pendulous manner by the links H
the platform F carrying the merchandise load, causes the centre of gravity of
the said load to be disturbed imparting to it a similar forward movement.
la
As this platform F is also suspended as beforementioned from the axle of the
ge wheels C by the links I I, these said wheels are in turn pushed forward
by the aforementioned platform, and thus the whole carriage is set in motion.
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the large wheel C on a line passing through the
points X X.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
Within a tim or ring of a wheel constructed substantially as herein described
two disc wheels with their axles coupled tandemwise and being free to revolve
in rolling contact with the inside circumference of the aforesaid rim or ring. The
said disc wheels supporting on their peripheries a third disc wheel in direct
connection with and operated by a motor, the three wheels being in pyramidical
rolling contact with each other.
Dated this Fourth day of Docoush 1900
WILLIAM HUCKS.