IMPROVEMENTS IN VEHICLES
Year: 1884

page_text: I WILLIAM JOHN BREWER, of 23 Rood Lane, in the City of London, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for “IMPROVEMENTS
IN VEHICLES to be as follows:-
13
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of vehicles in which
the axle of the carrying wheels is made solid with a vertical sliding block, sliding
in a dovetail, rabbet, or groove, in a corresponding block on the body of the vehicle
as patented to me under number 1862, dated the 12th of April 1883.
My improvements are as follows:-
In the sliding block which forms part of the wheel axle I form a chamber to
contain oil or other lubricant, and may close the external opening into the same by
means of a shutter or door, so as to prevent access of dirt or other impurities into
the lubricants.
I fix the block, which carries the dovetail rabbet or groove, so as to slide
horizontally in a further guide block attached to the body of the vehicle. The
movement of the intermediate guide block with vertical rabbets or grooves is
controlled by a screw, fixed to the lower body block, and working in a nut attached
to the said intermediate guide block. By this arrangement I can alter the point
of support of the carrying wheels and axles to suit the centre of gravity of the load
in my vehicle.
In vehicles in which it is intended to carry material in bulk or liquids, the
vertical rabbeted or grooved block is hung from a pivot or where the aforesaid
horizontal adjustment is used the body block with horizontal guides is hung on a
pivot so that the body of the vehicle is suspended from the axle blocks, or aforesaid
body block, and will therefore always tend to maintain a horizontal position when
ascending or descending steep inclines, but the body is not allowed to swing freely,
but is controlled by suitable mechanism, such as a pin. I carry a rod or spindle
from the axle block vertically upwards through the top or downwards through the
bottom of the body block. I can then fit to this spindle an ordinary elliptical
carriage spring, without, or in conjunction with, the spiral spring already described
in my former specification.
Whether a rod or chain axle be used, as described in the before named
specification number 1862 12th of April 1883, I fit a nut upon a suitable screwed
portion of the said axles passing through lugs in the sliding blocks, so that I can
readily take up or adjust the length of the said axle, whether rod or chain.

page_text: I may form the body of the vehicle with a double casing, the space between the
two said casings acting either as an air chamber for buoyancy, or it may be filled
with sand, affording a substantial defence in case of war.
Where it is intended to carry liquids in the said vehicle suitable withdrawing
cocks are fitted to the lower portion.
I support the extremities of the said vehicle so as to give great rigidity with the
least weight, by tieing the extreme bottom corners of the body by adjustable tie
rods to suitable lugs upon the rigid block bolted to the body of the vehicle. I also
support the outer extremities of the body from the axle blocks by telescopic rods
of any suitable section, introducing a spring into the length of the said rods to
permit of of elastic play.
Where used for passengers, I fit to my improved vehicle an overhead awning,
which is carried in rolls either centrally above or to the sides of the vehicle. An
iron framework is supplied to support the said awning, and an endless rope attach-
ment is fitted round the awning rollers, so that they can readily be unrolled and
the awning caused to fall or rise on either side.of the vehicle. A suitable rope
passing over the pulley is also provided by which the awning may be wound up
again.
I provide wheels with flat spokes, or add side wings or floats, where it is probable
that the vehicle may have to ford rivers. In such cases the wheels may be rotated
to act as paddles by.winch handles, and suitable power chain gearing. To the
circumference of the ordinary wheel I fit an extra wheel attachment of great
breadth, which may be secured to the hub of the ordinary wheel by a pin-and
tension spokes, so as to present a widely extended surface of tread for transport
over light, sandy, or marshy soils.
FELL & WILDING,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: chamber.
Figure 2 is an outside elevation of my axle sliding block with its horizontal
adjustment.
Figure 3 is an outside elevation of my sliding axle block in pivoted frame.
Figure 4 shows the adaptation of ordinary elliptical carriage spring and tie rods.
to my sliding axle block.
Figure 5 is a section showing the double casing of my improved cart.
Figure 6 is an end view of my improved vehicle fitted with sun and weather
awning.
Figure 7 is a transverse section through my improved sand wheel.
In the sliding block A, Figure 1, which forms a part of the wheel axle, I form a
chamber B, to contain oil or other lubricant; and I may close the external opening-
into the same by means of a shutter or door, b, so as to prevent access of dirt or
other impurities into the lubricants.
I fix the block D, Figure 2, which carries the dovetail rabbet or groove, in
which the axle block A slides vertically, so as to move horizontally in a further
guide block E, attached to the body of the vehicle. The horizontal movement of
the intermediate guide block D, with vertical rabbets or grooves, is controlled by a
screw d, fixed to the lower body block, and working in a nut or nuts attached to
the said intermediate guide block D; by this arrangement I can alter the point of
support of the carrying wheels and axles to suit the centre of gravity of the load
in my vehicle.
In vehicles in which it is intended to carry material in bulk, or liquids, the
vertical rabbetted or grooved block D, Figure 3, is hung from a pivot H fixed in a.
further body block F, and guided in its oscillating movement by a radial slot F in
the said block; or where the aforesaid horizontal adjustment, described at Figure 2,
is used, the body block E is hung on a pivot, so that the body of the vehicle is.
suspended, and will therefore always tend to maintain a horizontal position when
ascending or descending steep inclines. The body however is not allowed to swing
freely, but is controlled within certain limits by suitable mechanism, such as a pin
or springs to receive thrust and thus automatically adjust itself.
I carry a rod or spindle G, Figures 1 and 4, from the axle block A, vertically
upwards through the top, or downward through the bottom, of the body block. I
can then fit this spindle to an ordinary carriage spring, Figures 1 and 4 without,
or in conjunction with, a spiral spring G1, Figure 2, and already described in my
former specification.
Where the rod or chain axle is used, as described in the before named specifi-
cation numbered 1862, 12th April 1883, I fit a nut h, Figure 1, upon a suitable
screwed portion of the said axles, or upon, the spindle G, passing through the said
axle blocks, so that I can readily take up or adjust the length of the said axle,
whether rod or chain,

page_text: I may form the body of the vehicle, Figure 5, with a double casing K K, the
space between the two said casings acting either for an air chamber for buoyancy,
or as a space which may be filled with sand, affording a substantial defence in case
of war. Where it is intended to carry liquids in the said vehicle, withdrawing
cocks L are fitted to the lower portion.
I support the extremities of the side vehicle, so as to give great rigidity with the
least weight, by tying the extreme bottom corners of the body by 'adjustable tie
rods M M, Figure 4, to suitable lugs upon the rigid block bolted to the body of the
vehicle. I also support the outer extremities of the body from the axle blocks by
telescopic rods of any suitable section, introducing a spring into the length of the
said rods to permit of elastic play.
A
Where used for passengers, I fit to my improved vehicle an overhead awning N,
Figure 6, which is carried in rolls either centrally above or attached to the sides of
the vehicle. An iron framework n is supplied to support the said awning, and an
endless rope attachment is fitted round the awning rolls, so that they can readily
be unrolled and the awning caused to fall or rise on either side of the vehicle.
suitable rope P is also provided passing over a pulley p, by which the awning may
be wound up again. I provide wheels with flat spokes or add side wings or floats
where it is probable that the vehicle may have to ford rivers. In such cases the
wheels may be rotated to act as paddles by winch handles and suitable power chain
gearing.
To the circumference of the ordinary wheel I fit an extra wheel attachment R
of great breadth, which may be secured to the hub of the ordinary wheel by a
pin S and tension spokes, so as to present a widely extended surface of head, for
transport over light sandy or marshy soils.
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 :-
1st In a vehicle with each axle spindle made rigid with a vertical sliding block,
the construction of the said block with an oil chamber protected by a lid or shutter
substantially as described.
2nd In such a vehicle, the combination of the vertically grooved block D with
the body block E fitted with travelling screw and guides for horizontal adjustment
of the former, substantially as described with reference to Fig. 2.
3rd In such a vehicle, the mounting of the said vertically grooved block upon a
pivot or pin to suspend the body therefrom, substantially as described.
4th In such a vehicle the combination of the vertically sliding axle block with a
suitable pin and elliptical carriage spring, substantially as described.
5th In such a vehicle, the construction of the body with a double casing to
afford buoyancy for flotation, or when packed with sand or other material to
afford protection in case of war, substantially as described.
6th In such a vehicle the combination of the body with a framework and
awning operated by ropes and pulleys to afford protection to passengers against-
the sun or weather, substantially as described.
7th In such a vehicle the combination with the ordinary wheel of additional
sand wheels to facilitate in travelling over light or marshy soils substantially as
described.
T
1004
FELL & WILDING,
Agents for the Applicant.