New Skid for Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: New Skid for Vehicles.
THOMAS CROOKE Coal Merchant 5 Hilldrop Crescent Camden Road, N. in
the County of Middlesex I do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
Two rectangular three sided brackets, the two parallel sides of each bracket
being equal, are bulted to the axle-tree of the vehicle to which the "new skid"
is applied, one side of each bracket goes over the top, the other two sides of each
bracket are vertically placed and are produced downward under the front-and
back planes of the axle-tree, fitting it. One bracket (the outer bracket) is place
at the end of the axle-tree near the wheel and outside the spring of the vehicle.
The other bracket (the inner bracket) is placed some distance on the axle-tree
inside the spring of the vehicle. At the lower end of each parallel side of the
brackets is a nut which fastens a square plate (bottom plate) horizontally. This
bottom plate has vertical holes at each corner through which the enls of the
brackets are secured by the nuts. On the under plane of the bottom plate in the
middle of the inner sido a strong pivot pin is placed.
At the top front angle of the inner bracket an inner projecting flange containing
a vertical hole (vertical rod hole) is placed. A vertical hole is also made in the
bottom plate under this upper rod hole.
On the front parallel side of each bracket is an arm projecting to the front.
At the extremity of each arm is a hole (drum axis hole) these holes are opposite
each other.
On the upper plane of the bottom plate at the front outer corner are fixed two
parallel flanges with V shaped grooves in the inside vertical planes which form a
slide (the buffer piece slide). This slide runs from the front of the bottom plate
to about halfway toward the back & are sufficiently wide apart to allow a sliding
piece (buffer sliding piece) to slide backward and forward.
The buffer sliding piece is a flat oblong piece about one third thicker than the
bufler picce slide. The sides of the buffer sliding piece are V shaped to fit and
work in the V shaped grooves of the flanges. At the back of the buffer sliding
piece is a vertical pivot hole (front link pivot hole). In the buffer sliding piece,
running from the front plane toward the back, is a horizontal hole not quite
through at the back, this horizontal hole is open midway bottom and top, within
this horizontal hole a buffer bolt with stop head acts from front to back, a spiral
spring acting on the buffer bolt keeps the bolt to the front casing the shock when
the "new skid " is in use.
A flat link formed piece (front link) with pivot hole at each end is pivoted, or
jointed, on the buffer sliding piece chain like.
Another link (back link) is pivoted, or jointed, ou the back end of the front
link, both links act horizontally, the back link is pivoted on the bottom plate the
pivot pin being fastened ou the bottom plate near the back parallel tide of the
bracket.
A stop lever is pivoted on the inside corner of the bottom plate moving hori-
zontally across it so as to touch the front and back links, this stop lever when it is
at right angle holds the front and back links in an extended position, releasing
the links when it, the stop lever, is in any other position.

page_text: AT shaped lever is pivoted near the vertical rod hole in the front inner corner
of the bottom plate. The T part of the lever being placed even with the inner
side of the bottom plate. The pivot hole, upon which the T shaped lever moves,
is in the middle of the cross piece of the lever, a space is cut away in one side of
the cross piece to allow it to pass the front side of the inner bracket. The tail
part of this T shaped lever is kept parallel to the stop lever by means of a lifting
piece which acts on studs fixed on the ends of the T shaped piece and the stop
lever. The lifting piece is cut away obliquely in the under front end.
A vertical rod acts in the vertical rod hole in the inner bracket and the vertical
rod hole of the bottom plate. At the lower end of the vertical rod a hammer
shaped piece is fixed, when the rod revolves the hammer shaped piece pushes the
lifting piece and catches the T shaped piece causing it and the stop lever to turn
on the pivot joints freeing the back and front links and allowing the buffer piece
to slide.
At the top of the vertical rod a horizontal crank lever is fixed by which the
vertical rod is turned. A drum the axis of which is horizontal runs in the drum
axle holes in the arms in front of the brackets.
A cubical projection on the outer edge of the periphery of the drum forms a
stop, there are two eyes (chain eyes) placed diametrically opposite each other on
the periphery of the drum.
The drum is placed so that the cubical stop catches the front of the buffer bolt
in the buffer sliding piece when the sliding piece is in front of the slide, thus
stoping the drum, when the buffer sliding piece and buffer bolt are at the back of
the slide the drum is free.
On the strong pivot pin in the under plane of the bottom plate a horizontal arm
(skid rod arm) is jointed. At the end of the skid rod arm, a fixed short rod
projects at right angle downward. On the short rod there are two collars, or
tubes, the lower collar is fixed to the short rod the upper is free on the rod, the
upper collar is cut straight horizontally at the top and oblique at the bottom.
The lower collar is also cut oblique at the top so that when the upper collar is
turned round, the oblique cut raise the upper collar, on the opposite sides of the
upper collar are two pivot pins. Round the lower part of the lower collar an
oblique guide is placed.
A long sheath or tube (skid rod sheath) having a forked top with a pivot hole
in each fork fit the pivot pins on the upper collar forming a joint, in the fork of
the skid rod a small friction wheel is placed which runs on the oblique guide on
the lower collar of the short rod. In the skid rod sheath a long slot ruus
lengthways.
A rod (skid rod,) with a projecting stop on one side at the upper end, fits the
skid rod sheath the projecting stop running in the slot. A ferrule is fixed round
the end of the sheath to close the slot.
The bottom end of the skid rod is flattened to hold the top plate of the skid.
The skid is composed of a top plate on which are two right-angle flanges on the
inner side, and one flange on the outer side, the skid rod is attached to the middle
flange on the inner side, the skid is parallel to the plane on which the vehicle
runs.
In the under plane of the top plate of the skid a V shaped groove runs length-
wise, a thick plate with V shaped flange on the top plane to fit the V shaped
groove in the under side of the top plate of the skid is driven in from the
front.
The crank lever on the top of the vertical rod is attached to a connecting rod
which extends to the front of the vehicle. On the summer or floor of the vehicle
to which "the new skid" is applied, a plate having a right angle horizontal
flange, is fixed, in this right angle Hange is a front vertical rod bole through which
a vertical rod (front vertical rod) acts.
On the lower end of the front vertical rod an arm acts horizontally, about the
middle of this horizontal arm the connecting rod is jointed. This horizontal arm

page_text: acts parallel with the horizontal crank arm. On the horizontal plate a lifting
stop piece is placed. A sheath (front vertical rod sheath) is secured to the hori-
zontal arm turning with the joint, this sheath runs vertically up the front end of
the side of the vehicle. The sheath contains a slot lengthwise, similar to the one
on the skid rod. A vertical rod (front vertical rod) revolves in a plate fixed to
the upper rail of the vehicle. On the lower end of this rod (front vertical rod}
is a stop long enough to project beyond the outside of the sheath, this front
vertical rod slides in the sheath the lower end stop being in the slot on the
sheath.
On the upper end of the rod a crank with handle is fixed horizontally which can
be raised to any required height, the handle moves outwards.
A small ring collar, held in position by two fixed collars, acts on the sheath,
front rod sheath, a projecting stop with a slot in the inside of the ring, when the
collar is turned round, the rod is fixed any height by it. At the end of the front
horizontal arm is attached a chain which runs along under the vehicle over a pully
then turning down is fastened to the lower eye of the drum. Another chain (skid
chain) is fastened to the opposite eye on the drum, the other end of this chain,
(skid chain) is attached to the inner flange on the top plate of the skid. The
horizontal chain is coiled on the drum so that when the front crank handle is turned
the drum revolves the skid chain then takes a coil on the drum pulling the skid
forward and upward, the skid arm bringing the skid to the front.
A droping piece, to keep the skid from swaying sideways, is placed on the
bottom plate.
Two V shaped hangers are secured to the summers of the vehicle in the lower
end of each is an elongated space to allow for the play of the springs of the vehicle.
These V shaped hangers run down each side of the arms on the front of the
brackets, the axis of the drum is in the elongated spaces of the hangers.
At the connection of the skid chain with the skid, a buffer bolt with spiral spring
works in a sheath piece which is attached to the flange of the top plate of the
skid, to ease the sudden jerk of the skid when it takes the wheel.
When the new skid is in action one chain winds on the drum as the other
chain unwinds. The buffer bolt catching against the cubical stop on the drum
holds it, releasing it when the hammer shaped piece is turned.
A treadle can be placed in front of the vehicle, connected by means of a bell
pull piece.
An additional handle can also be placed on the sheath of the front rod so that
it can be turned from below.
In useing the "new skid" the front crank handle is turned, when the front
horizontal arm, connected to the crank lever by means of the connecting rod and
the horizontal chain being then released, the weight of the skid rotates the drum
and the chain unwinding lowers the skid. The oblique cut collars on the short rod
place the skid in front of the wheel of the vehicle, the wheel then takes it. When
the skid is under the wheel the drum is held firmly by the stops which have been
brought forward by the hammer shaped piece.
By reversing the front crank handle the hammer shaped piece releases the stop.
The wheel then passes over the skid and the skid comes off behind. The chains
reverse the drum and bring the skid back into position. The great advantage of
the "new skid" is that it can be put on and taken off when the vehicle is in
motion.
Dated this 4th day of February 1896.
THOMAS CROOKE.

page_text: Fig. M Bottom view of skid rod long lever and inclined plane.
Fig. N¹ Side view of skid guiding rod with shackle end friction wheel' and
shackle end.
Fig. O Front view of upper part of skid rod shewing shackle end.
Fig. P Plan of skid pan or shoe with skid guiding rod (in section) and flat
piece.
Fig. Q' End view of skid pan or shoe.
Fig. R Plan of centrifugal piece connecting rod and small links.
Fig. S Side view of small rod and guiding piece on bottom plate long starting
lever and spiral spring.
Fig. T Side elevation of "new skid" as applied to the off wheel of a vehicle
shewing crank handle and rod.
Fig. U Plan of "new skid" as applied to the off wheel of vehicle shewing
levers rods and joints of the connecting appliance. The body and spring of the
vehicle have been removed.
A rectangular metal plate (bottom plate 1. Fig. A & Fig. B) is suspended under
one end of the axle-tree 2 (Fig. A and Fig. B) of the vehicle to which the "new
skid" is applied by means of a bracket or frame composed of two pairs of vertical
bars 3 and 31 Fig. A) and 4, 4¹ Fig. B). One pair of vertical bars is placed
near the wheel of the vehicle. The other pair is situated parallel at some distance
from the wheel of the vehicle. The vertical bars 3 and 3 and 4 and 4' are produced
below the axle-tree, see Fig. A.
Two horizontal metal straps 5 (Fig. A and 5 & 5' (Fig. B) run transversely
on the upper plane of the axle-tree 2 (Fig. A and Fig. B) and are fastened to the
upper ends of the vertical bars 3, 31 and 4, 41 through holes at each end of the
straps by means of nuts. The other ends of the vertical bars are secured by nuts.
through holes in the bottom plate 1 Fig. A.
A pair of braces 6. Fig. A one brace fixed on bar 3 (Fig. A) the other brace
fixed on bar 4 Fig. B) complete the frame on the axle-tree 2 and form the
principal attachments of the new skid" to the axle-tree of the vehicle. The
front ends of the braces are produced toward the front of the vehicle forming
two arms 6 (Fig. A & 61 & 6 Fig. B). Each arm has a spindle hole 8. (Fig. A,
and 7 & 8 (Fig. B).
Two link-arms 9 & 9, (Fig. A & Fig. B) are jointed on the two arms 63 (Fig. A
and 6' & 6 Fig. B) in (Fig. A & Fig. B). At the front extremities of the link-
arms 9 & 9 (Fig. A and Fig. B) are spindle holes carrying a horizontal spindle 11:
(Fig. A and (Fig. B). The link-arms 9 & 9 are closer together at 11 than at 10.
On the spindle 11 (Fig. A) and Fig. B.) a vertical sheave wheel 12 (Fig. A and
Fig. B) runs between the link-arms 9, 9, (Fig. A and Fig. B).
On the arms 62 (Fig. A & 6' & 6 Fig. B) at the juncture 10 revolving
vertically on the spindle 8 (Fig. A and 7 & 8 Fig. B) are two drums or wheels 13
& 14 Fig. A and Fig. B. The large drum 13 runs in the same plane as the
sheave wheel 12 Fig. A and Fig. B) the details of the drums are shown in
(Fig. G, Fig. H and Fig. 1).
The small drum or wheel 14 (Fig. A) and Fig. B) is attached to the large-
drum 13 and revolves with it. On the inside of the large drum extending
beyond the periphery a strong stop 15 (Fig. A and Fig. B) is placed. The stop 15
is between the drums. Chain
grooves are made on the face of each drum or wheel.
In the space between the under plane of the axle-tree 2 and the upper plane of
the bottom plate are placed the several parts that compose the lock of the "new
skid (hereafter explained.
Two V shaped hangers 16' (Fig. A.) and in section 16 & 16' (Fig. B) are bolted
to the summers or flooring of the vehicle. At the angle of each hanger are holes
through which the ends of the spindle 11 (Fig. B) are carried.
The hangers 16 and the other parallel hangers (16' covered by the front
hangers in the drawing (Fig. A), form the front attachments of the "new skid" to
the vehicle.

page_text: In the upper part of the grooves of the drum 13 Fig. A & Fig. B) one end of
a chain 17 (Fig. A and Fig. B) is fastened from whence it (the chain) passes over
the sheave wheel 12 when unwinding or winding round the drum. Fastened in the
under part of the groove in the small wheel or drum 14 is one end of a small
chain 18 (Fig. A) passing upward and forward when unwinding or winding round
the small drum or wheel 14. In action one chain winds on one drum as the other
chain winds off the other drum and vice-versa.
The several pieces or parts forming the stop on the "new skid" are chiefly on
the upper plane of the bottom plate 1 shown in Fig. A, Fig. B, Fig. C, Fig. D,
Fig. E & F. In Fige. C & D) the axle-tree and straps 5 are removed to show
the stop arrangements on the bottom plate 1. On the bottom plate 1 are two
parallel projections 19 (Fig. A Fig. B Fig. C, Fig. D, Fig. E & Fig. F,) forming a
slide (buffer piece slide). Inside on the vertical sides of the projections are
angular grooves shown in dotted lines (Fig. C, Fig. D and Fig. J) and in the end
elevations Fig. K. & Fig. L.)
A sliding piece (sliding buffer piece 20 Fig. C, Fig. D & Fig. P) runs freely
backward and forward in the buffer piece slide).
The sliding buffer piece is an oblong block having projections on the vertical
sides to fit the grooves shown in dotted lines Fig. C, Fig. D and Fig. J). The back
part of the buffer sliding piece is thinner than the middle part and a vertical rivit
hole is placed in the thin part 21 (Fig. C, Fig. D, Fig. P, and Fig. Q). In the
front of the buffer piece is a horizontal hole which runs through to an open oblong
space in the middle 22 (Fig. C, Fig. D, and Fig. P.
The space 22 is open from the top to the bottom. Another hole shown in dotted
lines Fig. C, Fig. D and Fig. P.) opposite and in the same direction occurs about
halfway through the back of the buffer piece. In the horizontal holes in the
sliding buffer piece a buffer bolt 23, (Fig. C, Fig. D, Fig. P, and Fig. Q) with a
collar and spiral spring on it, acts. The spiral spring keeps the bolt to the
front.
The front part of the bolt 23 (Fig. C. Fig. D. Fig. E. Fig. P. & Fig. Q. is
the stop for the drums. The spiral spring on it also eases the concussion when
the "new skid is in use. A flat link 25, (Fig. C Fig. D, Fig. E, Fig. R, &
Fig. S, (stop front link) with a hole at each end is jointed horizontally on to the
back of the buffer piece 21 (Fig. C, Fig. D, Fig. P, and Fig. Q
Another link 26 (Fig. C, Fig. D, Fig. E Fig. R & Fig. S,) (back stop-link)
with a hole at each end is jointed on to the back end of the front stop link 25.
The other end of the back stop-link is jointed on to the back of the bottom plate, 27,
(Fig. C and Fig. D.
Both links act horizontally and laterally. The Fig. C, & D, show the position
of the links when the stop is in action (forward in C and backward in D).
The sliding buffer piece is also shown backward in Fig. D and forward in
Fig. C.
The stop lever 28 (Fig. C, Fig. D, Fig. T, and Fig. U, jointed at one end on
the bottom plate 1 moves horizontally, stud 29 Fig. C, Fig. D, Fig. T, &
Fig. U) is fixed on the upper side some distance from the other end of the stop
lever.
When the stop lever 28 is across the bottom plate 1 it holds the stop links
extended.
The stop links are released when the stop lever is in any other position.
An angled or T shaped lever 30 (Fig. C, & Fig. D,) is jointed at its angle to
the bottom plate 1 (Fig. C. and Fig. D.) at the same distance from the side of the
bottom plate as the stop lever 28 is jointed, also moving horizontally. At the
other end of the T shaped lever a stud (dropping piece front stud) is placed.
The joints and studs on the stop lever and the T shaped lever are similarly
placed.
Acting on the studs in the upper planes of the stop lever 28 and the T shaped
lever 30 is a horizontal piece 31 (Fig. C, Fig. D, Fig. V and Fig. W (dropping

page_text: piece). A stud hole is situated near the back end and another stud hole toward
the front end of the dropping piece.
The dropping piece keeps the stop lever and the T shaped lever parallel. The
front end of the dropping piece 31 (Fig. C Fig. D. Fig. V. and Fig. W) is bent
downward and is rounded obliquely. The front stud hole in the dropping piece is
slightly elongated longitudinally to allow the hammer shape piece (hereafter
explained) to pass under. The stud holes on the dropping piece and the joint
holes on the bottom plate of the stop lever and T shaped lever are the same
distance apart.
A vertical rod passing through the hole in the projection on strap 5 (Fig. A,
Fig. B, & Fig. E Fig. F) and extending downward into the hole in the bottom
plate 1 shown in 33 (Fig. J) revolves horizontally. The vertical rod is shouldered
and kept in place by a nut on it under the bottom plate 1. At the lower end of
the vertical rod 32 is an irregular shaped piece 331 (hammer shaped piece or key)
revolving horizontally with the vertical rod, also with the upper plane of the
bottom plate 1, the end of the vertical rod and the hole in the hammer shaped
piece are D shaped to fit."
The hammer shaped piece is half cut away at the under part shown in Fig. X
and Fig. Z.
The sides of the hammer shape piece are circular and the ends are flat and
parallel to each other. The lower end of the vertical rod goes through and revolves
in a boss fixed at the hole 33 (Fig. J). A ring formed piece with cubical
stop (Fig. A¹) acts loosely outside the boss and inside the cut away part in the
hammer shaped piece. In the corner of the hammer shaped piece, near the Tshaped
lever, is an angular notch. The cubical ring is carried round by the hammer
shaped piece when revolving to the right or to the left as it (the hammer shapd
piece) is turned by the vertical rod when the stop lever releases or holds the stop
links.
At the top of the vertical rod a horizontal lever 53 (Fig. A, Fig. B, Fig. E.
& Fig. F.) (vertical rod lever) is attached. By means of the vertical rod lever
the vertical rod and the hammer shaped piece are turned when the drums 13. & 14.
are put in action. On the underneath plane of the bottom plate 1, are the arm
and levers appertaining to the moving and placing of the skid pan or shoe which
holds the wheel of the vehicle to which the "new skid" is applied.
In Fig. N) the bottom plate 1 has been removed to show the action of the arm
& levers that move and place the skid pan of the "new skid." The light dotted
lines Fig. N shows the position of the bottom plate 1.
An arm 35 (skid rod arm) Fig. N, Fig. B', Fig. C', & Fig. D', with a projection
on one side for a bolt hole 38 and a bolt hole at each end 36 & 37 (Fig. N Fig. O,
Fig. B', & Fig. C', rotates on the underneath plane of the bottom plate 1 bolt 36
being its axis.
On the end 37 of the skid rod arm a shorter lever 40 (skid rod short lever)
Fig. N Fig. O, Fig. E', Fig. F', and Fig. G¹) with a bolt hole at each end 41
& 41' (Fig. N, Fig. O, Fig. E', Fig. F, and Fig. G¹) is jointed, a lever 42 Fig. N,
Fig. O Fig. 1, Fig. Ji, Fig. K', Fig. L' & Fig. M') skid rod long lever) with a
bolt hole at each end 43 & 43' is jointed on the end of the skid rod short lever.
The end 43 of the skid rod long lever is jointed to the bottom plate 1. At each
joint of the arm and levers, a boss, to keep them all horizontal in their motion and
at the required distance, to allow each to pass the other, is placed. The dark
dotted lines (Fig. N.) show the position assumed by the skid rod arm and levers
when toward the back of the vehicle the light dotted arcs their direction.
On the skid rod long lever a long fixed flange (shown in Fig. O, Fig. K,
and Fig. M, projects downwards. At the lower end of the fixed flange a flat piece
is jointed, the other end of the flat piece inclines toward the under side of the skid
rod long lever 42 forming an inclined plane to it. By a small screw through the
skid rod long lever, the inclined plane can be set at any angle suited to the height
of the wheel of the vehicle on which the "new skid " is placed.

page_text: Under the joint of the skid rod arm 37 (Fig. C) on its produced bolt a cylindrical
boss composed of two pieces act, the upper piece which is fixed to the bolt of the
joint has the lower part cut partly away.
The upper part of the other piece of the cylindrical boss is also cut away
leaving the remaining part to act in the upper piece of the boss as a stop to stay
the joint at a given distance when rotating. In the lower part of the cylindrical
boss trunnions project on each side 39 (Fig. C).
A guiding rod (skid guiding rod) Fig. N' having an elliptical shackle formed
end 421 (Fig. N and Fig. O' with pivot holes in the sides of the shackle, is
suspended on the cylindrical boss by the projecting trunnions or pivots which run
through the pivot holes in the shackle. The shackle is slightly bent. The upper
bent part is at an angle to the skid guiding rod. The top of the shackle is rounded
into an axis on which a small friction wheel revolves the friction wheel is slightly
oblique to the skid guiding rod. The friction wheel 432 (Fig. O¹, & Fig N¹ catches
the inclined plane (shown in Fig. K') on the skid rod long lever in one part of
its action.
The lower end of the skid guiding rod 45, (Fig. N¹, and in section Fig. P',) is
flattened and a bolt hole is in the flattened part, slightly oblique to the shackle 421
the skid (proper) is suspended at the lower end of the guiding rod Fig. N',
& Fig. P¹).
The skid (proper is composed of a plate 46 (Fig. N¹ & Fig. P₁ skid pan or shoe)
which is slightly curved upward at the front end, the other, back end, of the skid
pan is bevelled downward. The bevelling gives the wheel of the vehicle an impetus
when starting. On one side (inner side of the skid pan, a large flange 47 (Fig. N¹
and Fig. P) parabolic in shape, stands at an angle suited to the angle of the felloe
. of the wheel of the vehicle, on the opposite side of the skid pan is a small flange 48
Fig. N', Fig. Q', and in Fig. A & Fig. B. In the large flange an oblique slot 49
(Fig. N', and Fig. A) skid chain slot is made. Just below the skid chain slot
toward the bevelled end of the skid pan are two flap pieces 50 (Fig. N₁, & Fig. P¹)
& Fig. A hinged together and closely jointed on the outside toward the back of
the large flange. A stop is placed on the flange which hold the skid pan in position
(shown in Fig. A, Fig. N', and Fig. P). The front end of the flap piece is turned
up and outward to catch the skid guiding rod when the skid pan is drawn up in
front of the wheel of the vehicle. The play of the flap piece allows the skid pan
the necessary freedom when in use.
The lower end of the skid guiding rod 45, (Fig. N¹ & Fig. P¹) is jointed on
to the front of the flap piece.
The large flange 47 is attached to the skid chain 17 (Fig. A Fig. B and Fig. N')
by means, of a D shackle 52 through the oblique chain slot 49 Fig. A & Fig. N¹).
When lowered and placed in front of the wheel of the vehicle the skid pan
receives it between the flanges the skid pan is then firmly held by the skid
chain fastened to the large drum 13, when the chain releases the skid pan it
comes off at the back of the wheel of the vehicle and is ready to be brought
forward for re-action.
The parts belonging to the lock action and those for placing the skid are some-
what distinct. They are connected only by the skid chain and a lever 54, (Fig. A,)
connecting lever). The connecting lever has an axis hole at one end by which
it revolves loosely on the axis of the drums 8. (Fig. B), at the other end of
the connecting lever is a bolt hole through which a knuckle picce 55 (Fig. A Fig. B
and Fig. R') is placed.
The stop on the side of the drum 14 (Fig. A) catches the sides of the connecting
lever when revolving either way driving it forward or backward.
A horizontal rod 56 Fig. (Fig. A, Fig. Band Fig. R',) connecting rod) is jointed
at one end to the knuckle joint 55 (Fig. A, Fig. B, and Fig. R'). The other end
of the connecting rod has a centrifugal joint 57, (Fig. R¹).
Acting on the centre bolt 38 (Fig. R', Fig. B, & Fig. C) in the skid rod arm
are two small links 58 (Fig. R) the frent small link is jointed to the skid rod

page_text: arm. The other small link (back link) Fig. R¹, is jointed to the front small link:
at one end, the other end to the bottom plate. The centrifugal piece is jointed to.
the connecting rod 56, at one end. The pin for the other joint is fastened to.
the under part of the front small link. By this arrangement the skid is held in the
position required..
A small rod 59 (Fig. S¹) with spiral spring moves horizontally in a hole in a
guide piece fastened to the bottom plate 1, the spring keeping the small rodi
forward.
The small rod when forced backward touches the small links and starts the-
arms and levers 35 40, & 42. An angle jointed piece 60 (Fig. S1)with long lever.
to the front is acted on by the stud on the drum giving the required motion to
the small rod.
Fig. T' shows the side elevation of the "new skid" as applied to the off wheel
of a vehicle with crank handle and the several levers that connect the back.
action to the crank handle in front. Fig. U shows the plan of the new skid as.
applied to the off wheel of a vehicle, the body and springe having been removed.
the dotted lines show their place.
The crank handle 61 (Fig. T¹ and Fig. U') is fastened to the top of a vertical
rcd 62 (crank vertical rod Fig. T¹ and Fig. U¹) revolving in bearings fastened to.
the sides of the vehicle, a horizontal lever (crank rod bottom lever 63 (Fig. U¹).
is fixed to the lower end of the crank vertical rod. The dotted lines Fig. U show
the action of the lever as it revolves with the crank vertical rod.
At the travelling end of the crank rod lever 63 is jointed a rod 64 (Fig. U¹).
cross lever rod extending backward.
The back end of the cross lever rod is jointed to the cross lever. The lever
(cross lever) 65 Fig. U is jointed at about two thirds of its length revolving
horizontally on a plate with pivot fastened to the summer or floor of the vehicle.
The opposite end of the cross lever is attached to the upper end of the lifting.
chain 18 (Fig. T', Fig. U', & Fig. A, & B.
A joint 66 (Fig. U) occurs between the centre joint and the end 65 of the cross.
lever, a short rod 67 is jointed at one end to the cross bar at 66. The other end
of the short lever rod is jointed to the vertical rod lever 53 Fig. A Fig. B Fig. T
& Fig. U. All the rods and levers under the vehicle act horizontally and are
made in lengths to fit the vehicle to which they are applied. The "new skid "
can be placed on either wheel of the vehicle.
The crank vertical rod 62 (Fig. T') is telescoped so that the crank handle can
be raised or lowered as required, a ring catch is placed on the rod which fixes the-
rod at any height.
An ordinary treadle can be attached to the crank rod bottom lever.
An additional handle is placed on the vertical crank-rod so that it can be turned
from below.
In using the "new skid" the front crank handle is turned. By turning the
crank handle toward the back of the vehicle the levers chains and drums under the
summers of the vehicle are set in motion. The lifting chain being released,
the weight of the skid rotates the drums and the skid chain unwinding lowers the
skid-pan. The guiding skid-rod places the skid-pan in front of the wheel of the
vehicle the wheel then takes it. When the skid pan is under the wheel the drums.
are held firmly by the stop which has been brought forward by the hammer shaped
piece, or key.
In
By slightly reversing the front handle the hammer shaped piece, or key opens.
the lock and the drums revolving allow the wheel to pass over the skid pan.
revolving the stop on the small drum pushes the levers that are under the bottom
plate toward the back taking the skid-pau off from behind the wheel.
By turning the handle to the front the lifting chain reverses the drums which
brings the skid-pan and levers back inside the wheel of the vehicle to the position.
in front

page_text: Having now 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 :-
1st. The invention of a "new skid" that can be easily attached to any
description of vehicle and when so attached, can be brought into action or with-
drawn, by the driver turning a handle at will, when the said vehicle is in motion
thus obviating the necessity and danger of leaving the vehicle to apply a skid.
2nd. I claim the stays and manner of fixing the new skid to the axle tree of
the vehicle, herein explained and shown in the accompanying drawings.
3rd. I claim the links arms and hangers which allow the necessary action and
oscillatory motion of the vehicle as explained and shown in the accompanying
descriptions & drawings.
4th. The arm, lever, guide-rod and attachments for placing the skid-pan in front
of the wheel of the vehicle and taking the same off at the back of the wheel, as
described and shown in the drawings.
5th. I claim the application and construction of the lock and plate as herein
explained and shown in the accompanying description and drawings.
Dated this 1st day of December 1896.
THOMAS CROOKE.