Improvements in Variable Speed Driving Gear particularly. applicable to Self-propelled Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Nov., 1897--Accepted, 15th Jan., 1898.
Improvements in Variable Speed Driving Gear particularly.
applicable to Self-propelled Vehicles.
We, CHARLES THOMAS CROWDEN, of Vernon Lodge, Leamington, in the County
of Warwick, Engineer, and WILFRED LE PLASTRIER WEBB, of Heimat, Tivoli,
Cheltenham, in the County. of Gloucester, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to variable speed driving gear and though otherwise
applicable is specially designed for use on self-propelled vehicles. The gear may
drive through ordinary toothed gearing, belt gearing, friction gearing, choin
gearing, or the like, but I will describe it as belt driven.
In carrying out the invention we fix upon the motor shaft a long pulley of pre-
ferably small diameter upon which the belt which we will call No. 1 can be shifted
inwards so as to operate upon any one of a series of pulleys carried upon an inter-
mediate shaft. The motor is intended always to run at approximately the same
speed, and consequently No. 1 belt will also always run at approximately the same
speed, the changes of speed taking place between the intermediate shaft and the
axle of the vehicle wheels, or a counter shaft employed for the purpose.
The intermediate shaft has fixed upon it a series of pulleys of the same diameter
so that No. 1 belt while always running upon the long drum of the motor shaft
can operate upon any one of these pulleys. The first of these pulleys is keyed.
direct upon the intermediate shaft so that when No.. 1 belt, is upon it the shaft is
turned, and by means of another pulley also keyed upon it at the end of the series
of pulleys it will drive the axle of the road wheels or counter shaft. This we will
suppose to be the slow gear, the pulley fast upon the end of the axle being a
relatively small one, and the corresponding pulley upon the counter shaft being a
relatively large one, and a belt chain or other gear connecting the two in the
manner well understood and commonly employed in driving lathes.
The next pulley of the series upon the intermediate shaft also driven by No. 1
belt is connected by a sleeve upon an intermediate shaft with another pulley fast
upon the other end of the sleeve which drives by belt gearing on to a correspond-
ing pulley upon the counter shaft, these two pulleys being by preference both
about the same size so that a medium speed is obtained.
A third pulley of the intermediate shaft is carried upon the sleeve of the second
pulley and has connected with it a larger pulley, the belt of which drives upon the
smallest of the series of pulleys upon the counter shaft thus obtaining the fastest
speed. If desired the reverse arrangement may be adopted in which the pulleys
which are keyed as the intermediate shaft would be the fast speed etc.
these. pulleys which can be cast together would naturally be so made.
Any of
More than the three speeds referred to may be obtained by mounting a further
number of sleeves over each other with pulleys attached.
Another of the series of pulleys running loose upon the intermediate shaft.is
adapted to be driven by No. 1 belt and has upon it a small pulley which by a

page_text: crossed belt or equivalent gearing is connected with a large pulley or wheel upon
the counter shaft, for the purpose of imparting slow reversed movement so as to
back the carriage slowly. More than one speed for reversing may be obtained
in the same way as the forward speeds.
In order to allow of the motor working when the carriage is not moving various
means may be adopted. One of these is to allow No. 1 belt to be quite loose so
that it may simply slip upon the pulleys and when required for use it may be
tightened by means of a jockey pulley. Another way would be to place a loose
pulley upon the intermediate shaft in any suitable position between the first
driving pulley and the reversed pulley; in this case the belt may be at its proper
tension and when the engine is running and the vehicle not, the belt will run on
the loose pulley.
A powerful band-brake may be employed in conjunction with a suitable drum
or pulley carried upon the counter shaft or road wheel axle, or drums may be placed
upon the wheel themselves. There may also be ordinary brake-blocks applied to
the peripheries of the road wheels and any or all of these brakes may be applied
by the same lever which operates the jockey pulley when the latter is employed.
All the belt shifting may be effected by a single lever suitably placed to be con-
veniently accessible to the driver, and the jockey pulley and the brakes may be
operated by another lever or pedal which may conveniently be adapted to be
operated by the foot. This pedal or lever may control the jockey pulley so that
as the brakes go on the jockey pulley comes off the belt, and leaves it slack, and
vice versa; when a loose pulley is used the lever which applies the brake or brakes
would shift the belt on to the loose pulley, the return movement may be effected by
a spring or weight. By a suitable double motion the end lever may operate both
the speed changing and jockey pulley gear.
Any suitable ratchet and pawl, clutch or equivalent mechanism may be
employed to prevent any of the pulleys, shafts or sleeves rotating when not
required. This is preferably arranged by means of a pawl which is weighted in
such a manner that its inertia when running will automatically prevent it from
clicking on the ratchets.
This arrangement is not suitable for the reversing pulleys which would have
their clutches thrown in and out of gear mechanically and preferably by the belt
shifting lever
Dated this 3rd day of February 1807
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in Variable Speed Driving Gear particularly
applicable to Self-propelled Vehicles.
We, CHARLES THOMAS CROWDEN, of Vernon Lodge, Leamington, in the County
of Warwick, Engineer, and WILFRED LE PLASTRIER WEBB, of Heimat, Tivoli,
Cheltenham, in the County of Gloucester, Engineer, 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 relates to variable speed driving gear and though otherwise
applicable is specially designed for use on self-propelled vehicles. The gear may
drive through ordinary toothed gearing, belt gearing, friction gearing, chain
gearing, or the like, but I will describe it as belt driven.
In carrying out the invention we fix upon the motor shaft a long pulley of pre-

page_text: ferably small diameter upon which the belt which we will call No. 1 can be shifted
inwards so as to operate upon any one of a series of pulleys carried upon an inter-
mediate shaft. The motor is intended always to run at approximately the same
speed, and consequently No. 1 belt will also always run at approximately the same
speed, the changes of speed taking place between the intermediate shaft and the
axle of the vehicle wheels, or a counter shaft employed for the purpose.
The intermediate shaft has fixed upon it a series of pulleys of the same diameter
so that No. 1 belt while always running upon the long drum of the motor shaft
can operate upon any one of these pulleys. The first of these pulleys is keyed
direct upon the intermediate shaft so that when No. 1 belt is upon it the shaft is
turned, and by means of another pulley also keyed upon it at the end of the series
of pulleys it will drive the axle of the road wheels or counter shaft. This we will
suppose to be the slow gear, the pulley fast upon the end of the axle being a
relatively small one, and the corresponding pulley upon the counter shaft being a
relatively large one, and a belt chain or other gear connecting the two in the
manner well understood and commonly employed in driving lathes.
The next pulley of the series upon the intermediate shaft, also driven by No. 1
belt, is connected by a sleeve upon an intermediate shaft with another pulley fast
upon the other end of the sleeve which drives by belt gearing on to a correspond-
ing pulley upon the counter shaft, these two pulleys being by preference both
about the same size so that a medium speed is obtained.
A third pulley of the intermediate shaft is carried upon the sleeve of the second
pulley and has connected with it a larger pulley, the belt of which drives upon the
smallest of the series of pulleys upon the counter shaft, thus obtaining the fastest
speed. If desired the reverse arrangement may be adopted in which the pulleys
which are keyed as the intermediate shaft would be the fast speed etc. Any of
these pulleys which can be cast together would naturally be so made.
More than the three speeds referred to may be obtained by mounting a further
number of sleeves over each other with pulleys attached.
Another of the series of pulleys running loose upon the intermediate shaft is
adapted to be driven by No. 1 belt and has upon it a small pulley which by a
crossed belt or equivalent gearing is connected with a large pulley or wheel upon
the counter shaft, for the purpose of imparting slow reversed movement so as to
back the carriage slowly. More than one speed for reversing may be obtained
in the same way as the forward speeds.
In order to allow of the motor working when the carriage is not moving various
means may be adopted. One of these is to allow No. 1 belt to be quite loose so
that it may simply slip upon the pulleys and when required for use it may be
tightened by means of a jockey pulley. Another way would be to place a loose
pulley upon the intermediate shaft in any suitable position between the first
driving pulley and the reversed pulley; in this case the belt may be at its proper
tension and when the engine is running and the vehicle not, the belt will run on
the loose pulley.
A powerful band-brake may be employed in conjunction with a suitable drum
or pulley carried upon the counter shaft or road wheel axle, or drums may be placed
upon the wheel themselves. There may also be ordinary brake-blocks applied to
the peripheries of the road wheels and any or all of these brakes may be applied
by the same lever which operates the jockey pulley when the latter is employed.
All the belt shifting may be effected by a single lever suitably placed to be con-
veniently accessible to the driver, and the jockey pulley and the brakes may be
operated by another lever or pedal which may conveniently be adapted to be
operated by the foot. This pedal or lever may control the jockey pulley so that
as the brakes go on the jockey pulley comes off the belt, and leaves it slack, and
vice versa; when a loose pulley is used the lover which applies the brake or brakes
would shift the belt on to the loose pulley, the return movement may be effected by
a spring or weight. By a suitable double motion the end lever may operate both
the speed changing and jockey pulley gear.

page_text: Any suitable ratchet and pawl, clutch, or equivalent mechanism, may be
employed to prevent any of the pulleys, shafts. or sleeves rotating when not
required. This is preferably arranged by means of a pawl which is weighted in
such a manner that its inertia when running will automatically prevent it from
clicking on the ratchets.
This arrangement is not suitable for the reversing pulleys, which would have
their clutches thrown in and out of gear mechanically and preferably by the belt
shifting lever.
In order to make this invention quite clear, it is described and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings as applied to a self-propelled vehicle, but it is obvious.
that it may be used, wherever a variable speed driving gear is required.
In the accompanying drawings:-
-
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan, partly in section, showing one arrangement, of
the improved. gear.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
A is a steam engine or other motor mounted upon the vehicle in any suitable
way, running at an approximately constant speed, and driving a shaft A which
carries, keyed or otherwise mounted on it, a wide pulley or drum A2. At a suit-
able distance from the motor shaft A' and parallel to it, is another shaft B, herein-
after called the intermediate shaft, having two pulleys B1 and B2 keyed or other-
wise mounted on it, and carrying also a sleeve C which turns freely upon it.
Mounted upon opposite ends of the sleeve Care pulleys C and C, and between
them, also upon the sleeve C and free to turn upon it is another sleeve D, carrying,
mounted upon it two other pulleys D¹ and D².
As illusrated in Figure 1, the sleeve D, and pulleys D¹ and D² may be in one
casting.
The shaft B also carries another sleeve E, with two pulleys E¹ and E mounted
upon it, and these again may, if desired be in one casting.
The sleeve E is free to turn upon the shaft B, any lateral motion being
prevented by a collar F fixed upon the shaft:
The pulleys B¹ C₁ D₁ and E¹ are all of the same diameter, and their width is
such that when placed as in Figure 1 side by side, upon the shaft B, the total, width
across their faces, shall be approximately equal to the width of the pulley A².
It will thus be seen that the intermediate shaft B, carries two series of pulleys,
one series being of equal, and the other of unequal diameters, each member of one
series, being coupled to a member of the other series, viz., the pulleys B, C, D¹
and E to the pulleys B, C, D and E respectively.
A third shaft G is placed parallel with the shafts A and B having mounted upon
it, three pulleys 133 C3 and D³ which may be in one casting; these are so placed
upon the shaft G that they are opposite to the pulleys B2 C2 and D², respectively.
The relative diameters of the pulleys B2 C2 D2 and B C D³ are such that they
form a series of combinations similar to that commonly found in lathes, for obtain-
ing various speeds. Another pulley E3 is mounted upon the shaft G near the other
end, and opposite to the pulley E³, and each extreme end of the shaft G is fitted
with a chain wheel G¹.
The shaft H which is the back road-wheel axle of the vehicle, has fixed upon it
two chain wheels H¹ placed so as to be opposite to the wheels G. Driving
chains I, connect the two sets of chain wheels.
The back road-wheels J are mounted upon, the axle H outside the chain-
wheel H¹.
K is the front road wheel axle, carrying the wheels L.
The motor pulley A2 is connected with the series of pulleys E B C D', úpon
the intermediate shaft B, by means of a main driving belt A³, which is of such a
length that it will slip upon the pulley A², unless it be tightened upon it by means
of a jockey pulley M. The pulleys E¹ B₁ C and D¹ being of the same diameter,
4
5

page_text: the belt A³ can be easily shifted, while running by any suitable striking gear N,
so as to drive either of them.
The pulleys B2 C³ and D2 are severally connected to the pulleys B³ ³ and D³
by belts B C and D, and a crossed belt E serves to connect the pulleys E3 and E³.
In order to allow independent motion of either of the back road wheels, such as
occurs when turning corners, &c., it is desirable that the shaft G should be divided,
and the two portions coupled through some form of differential or equalising gear-
ing, such as is commonly used for the purpose.
This division of the shaft G may be conveniently made at the point where a
band brake pulley G2 is placed; this pulley being mounted on a drum G³ which
forms part of the equalising gearing. If preferred the shaft may be divided at
the place where the pulleys B³ C³ D³ are situated, in which case the said pulleys
would be mounted upon the drum of the equalising gearing.
A band brake G passes round the pulley G2 and brake blocks O are provided,
operating upon the periphery of the back road wheels J.
These brakes may be worked in any suitable way, but we prefer to apply either.
or both of them by means of the same lever that operates the jockey pulley M,
that is to say, a continuation of the movement necessary to withdraw the jockey
pulley, and thus slacken the belt A³ may cause the band brake to grip the pulley
G2, or the brake-blocks O to press against the wheels J, or may cause both these
actions to occur.
The shaft A is preferably mounted so that it may be moved, by suitable gearing,
along the path indicated by the dotted line A4 in Figure 2; the motor A being
pivotally mounted as at A5 on a suitable portion A6 of the vehicle framing so as to
allow of this motion. This furnishes an additional adjustment for the main
driving belt.
The operation of this improved gear is as follows:-Assuming the belt A³ to be
in the position illustrated in Figure 1 and the motor to rotate as indicated by
the arrow, the pulley B' is driven by the belt A3, and, through the shaft B, drives
the small pulley B³. This pulley by means of its belt B drives the large
pulley B³, keyed to the shaft G; consequently the shaft G rotates and with
it the chain wheels G¹, which are geared to the chain wheels H¹ by the chain I.
The axle H therefore revolves, turning the wheels J and causing the vehicle to
move forward.
If, now, the belt A³ be shifted, so that it drives the pulley C¹, this pulley being
connected or coupled to the medium sized pulley C² by the sleeve C, will drive it,
and from it, the pulley C³, by means of the belt C4, thus causing the shaft G to
revolve at a faster rate than before.
It is obvious that if the.belt A³ be shifted so that it drives the pulley D¹, the
shaft G will revolve at a still faster rate, the pulleys D2 and D³ being respectively.
larger and smaller than the pulleys C and C3.
Again, if the belt A³ be placed so that it drives the pulley E2, the shaft G will
revolve in the opposite direction, as the pulleys E and E³ are connected by a
crossed belt E, therefore the vehicle will move backwards and, as the pulley F³
is small the rate of motion will be comparatively slow. The various pulleys may
be kept from rotating when not required to do so, by any suitable means such as
a clutch or pawl, preferably so arranged that when any particular pulley is being
driven the inertia of the pawl will prevent it from engaging with the ratchet wheel.
It is obvious that although only three sets of pulleys, giving three gradations
of speed, are illustrated yet any required number may be employed, of any suitable
size to give the desired speeds. Similarly pulleys and sleeves for giving more
than one backward speed may be provided.
Again, although we prefer an arrangement as illustrated in which the pulleys B'
and B mounted on the shaft give the lowest speed, yet, if desired, they can be
made of such a size as to give the highest speed.
Instead of belts or bands we may use any ordinary form of gearing such as
chain, friction or toothed gearing. The shaft G may itself be the back road

page_text: wheel axle; or may drive the said axle by any other gearing instead of driving
chains or the front road wheel axle may be driven if desired.
In
Further, instead of the arrangement of a loose belt and jockey pulley, another
pulley similar to B₁ but running loose upon the shaft B may be employed.
this case the belt A³ would be always tight, and would be shifted on to the loose
pulley, when it was desired to throw the motor out of gear with the driving
pulleys. Such a loose pulley would be placed preferably, between the pulleys B!
and E¹.
Any of the pulleys may if desired be connected to its sleeve or shaft by a spring
or other elastic form of coupling.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. In variable speed driving gear for a self-propelled vehicle, a series of pulleys
of equal diameter, each coupled to one of a series of pulleys of unequal diameter
both series revolving about the same axis.
2. In a self-propelled vehicle varying the speed by shifting a belt from one to
the other of a series of pulleys of equal diameter, mounted side by side.
3. In variable speed driving gear for a self-propelled vehicle, the combination
with a shaft B, carrying two or more series of coupled pulleys such as B C D E¹,
and B C D E of a shaft G with or without an equalizing coupling carrying
pulleys B3 C3 D and E cach driven by a separate belt substantially as described
or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
4. In a self-propelled vehicle the combination of an adjustable motor and shaft,
substantially as described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
5. In variable speed driving gear for a self-propelled vehicle, the combination
with an intermediate shaft carrying two or more series of coupled pulleys, of an
adjustable motor and shaft, substantially as and for the purpose described or
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
6. In a self-propelled vehicle the combination and arrangement of parts con-
stituting the complete variable speed driving gear substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Q1
1007
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.