Improvements in Steam Fire Engines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Dec., 1896.
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Sept., 1897-Accepted, 13th Nov., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Fire Engines.
We, JAMES COMPTON MERRYWEATHER and CHRISTOPHER JOHN WALLACE JAKE-
MAN, of the Firm of Merryweather & Sons Limited, of Greenwich Road, Greenwich,
in the County of Kent, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
Our Invention relates to improvements in self propelled Steam Fire Engines.
One method of carrying out our Invention is to construct a Steam Fire Engine
upon four wheels, the two rear wheels being used as driving wheels for propelling
the Machine on the road, and the two front wheels placed preferably on a divided
axle with pivoted arms, acting as steering wheels.
The Boiler is carried at the rear end of the frame and the Engine placed
vertically in front of the Boiler between the frames.
The steam cylinders are placed above the frames and actuate the pumps, placed
below the frames and directly below the cylinders, by means of rods which may
be disconnected when steam is used for propulsion of the Machine.
The propelling machinery consists of a crank-shaft driven by the steam cylinders
cperating a countershaft by means of suitable gear wheels and differential gearing.
The ends of the countershaft are provided with sprocket wheels which drive
similar wheels attached to the bearing wheels of the Machine by means of suitable
chains, one on each side of the Machine.
At the rear of the Engine a platform for the Stoker is provided and suitable
bunkers for fuel. The feed cocks and water and pressure gauges are so arranged
as to be easily accessible to the Stoker on the rear platform.
A suitable platform or seat is provided on the front part of the Machine for
the accommodation of the Driver, and the steering mechanism, steam valve and
reversing gear are placed within convenient reach."
The usual Hose and Implement Box may be fitted on the top of the frames
between the Engine and the front seat or platform, and foot-boards for the firemen
on each side.
A water tank is carried between the frames for use when travelling on the
road.
In some cases we fit the Engine with link motion or equivalent reversing gear,
and in others we reverse the direction of travel by means of gearing on the
shafts.
Two or three speed gear may also be fitted when the Engine is required to
travel in a hilly district.
Dated this 4th day of December 1896.

page_text: We, JAMES COMPTON MERRYWEATHER and CHRISTOPHER JOHN WALLACE JAKE-
MAN, of the Firm of Merryweather & Sons Limited, of Greenwich Road, Greenwich,
in the County of Kent, Engineers, 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:-
Our invention relates to improvements in self propelled Steam Fire Engines.
One method of carrying out our Invention is to construct a Steam Fire Engine
upon four wheels, the two rear wheels being used as driving wheels for propelling
the Machine on the road, and the two front wheels placed preferably on a divided
axle with pivoted arms, acting as steering wheels.
The Boiler is carried at the rear end of the frame and the Engine placed
vertically in front of the Boiler between the frames.
The steam cylinders are placed above the frames and actuate the pumps, placed
below the frames and directly below the cylinders, by means of rods which may
be disconnected when steam is used for propulsion of the Machine.
The propelling machinery consists of a crank shaft driven by the steam cylinders
operating a countershaft by means of suitable gear wheels and differential gearing.
The ends of the countershaft are provided with sprocket wheels which drive
similar wheels attached to the bearing wheels of the Machine by means of suitable
chains, one on each side of the Machine.
At the rear of the Engine a platform for the Stoker is provided and suitable
bunkers for fuel. The feed cocks and water and pressure gauges are so arranged
as to be easily accessible to the Stoker on the rear platform.
A suitable platform or seat is provided on the front part of the Machine for
the accommodation of the Driver, and the steering mechanism, steam valve and
reversing gear are placed within convenient reach.
The usual Hose and Implement Box may be fitted on the top of the frames
between the Engine and the front seat or platform, and foot-boards for the firemen
on each side.
A water tank is carried between the frames for use when travelling on the
road.
In some cases we fit the Engine with link motion or equivalent reversing gear,
and in others we reverse the direction of travel by means of gearing on the
shafts.
Two or three speed gear may also be fitted when this Engine is required to
travel in a hilly district.
In the accompanying drawing A is the boiler carried on rear end of frames B.
C are the steam cylinders actuating the pumps D by means of rods E. Fis the crank-
shaft operating the countershaft G. H is a sprocket wheel fixed to counter
shaft. Jis a sprocket wheel fixed to the bearing wheels K which are driven by
the chain L. M is the platform for the Stoker. N is the platform for the
driver. O is the steering mechanism. P is the handle for actuating the steam
valve. Q is the reversing lever. R is the hose box. S is the water tank.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
יך
'
The arrangement of a portable steam pumping engine provided with a device

page_text: by the use of which, when desired the pump may be put out of gear and the
engine connected to gearing for propelling the machine.
Dated this 3rd day of September 1897.
J. C. MERRYWEATHER.
C. J. W. JAKEMAN.