IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING TRAMWAY CARS AND OTHER VEHICLES UPON RAILS AND COMMON ROADS, OR BOTH ALTERNATELY ALSO
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Daniel Spill, of High Street, Homerton, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING TRAMWAY CARS AND OTHER
VEHICLES UPON RAILS AND COMMON ROADS, OR BOTH ALTERNATELY ALSO
,
Sealed the 23rd October 1874, and dated the 5th May 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Daniel Spill at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
the 5th May 1874.
I, DANIEL SPILL, of High Street, Homerton, in the County, of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING TRAMWAY CARS AND
OTHER VEHICLES UPON RAILS AND COMMON ROADS, OR BOTH ALTERNATELY; ALSO
APPLICABLE FOR PROPELLING BOATS AND OTHER FLOATING VESSELS," to be as
follows:-

page_text: engines, whether worKING WITH a pienu
combined, and quite irrespective whether such plenum or vacuum bo
produced by the alternate expansion and condensation of any of the
carburetted hydrogen gases or by any of the hydrocarbon fluids or gases
or otherwise.
Secondly. In the arrangements to stop and start the vehicle without
stopping the engine, thereby accumulating a large reserve of force always
in readiness in the engine's wheels to overcome the inertia of the vehicle
at starting, also for regulating and fixing the speed at which the vehicle
is propelling.
°
In carrying out this part of my Invention I employ a driving wheel
in the form of a disc placed either vertically or horizontally in any
convenient part of the framing of the car, by preference underneath a
bogie frame, forming a part of the platform of the car. This disc wheel
is driven from the engine by any convenient means, and imparts motion
by frictional contact, to a friction wheel mounted so as to slide along a
feather on its shaft. This shaft works in bearings at each end,
one of
such bearings being capable of sliding in a guide so as to admit of the
friction wheel being brought into or allowed to fall out of contact with
the force of the main driving disc for the purpose of starting and stopping
the vehiclė. The bringing of the friction wheel into action may be
accomplished in various ways, as for example, by a chain and winding
drum actuated by a handle, which handle also serves to apply the breaks
simultaneously with the throwing out of action of the friction wheel,
and vice versa, The speed of the vehicle is varied by simply moving
the friction wheel along its shaft so as to bring it nearer to or farther
from the centre of the driving disc. This movement is accomplished by
a hand wheel provided with several radial handles numbered successively
from say 1 to 10, the number on the handle brought opposite to the
driver indicating the speed in miles per hour, to which the driving gear
is adjusted. Loosely encircling the shaft which carries the friction wheel
are two spiral springs, each acting upon either side of the friction wheel
in opposite directions in order to force it along the feather toward the
centre of the driving disc so soon as the aforesaid hand wheel (with
radial handles) is released, thereby placing the friction wheel in a
neutral position while the vehicle is at rest, and also in order to ensure
a slow and easy motion to the vehicle at starting by gradually drawing
such friction wheel towards the outer edge of the friction disc, that is,

page_text: from the minimum toward the maximum speed. Provision is made for
regulating the speed and for stopping and starting from either end of the
vehicle. The power is transmitted from the shaft of the friction wheel
to the axles of the vehicle either by fixed gearing or by a pitch chain or
chains, or by band or rope.
Thirdly. In a novel form and application of toothed gear for starting
and stopping and giving differential speeds to the vehicle propelled,
consisting of an annular hollow drum having a friction surface upon its
periphery and formed with two ends and one central plate with holes
through each to allow a shaft to rotate therein, upon which the whole is
loosely mounted. The centre plate is arranged to carry one or more (bý
preference two) mitre wheels, which are mounted and revolve loosely
upon pins fixed at right angles with the axis of the drum, and are carried
round with the drum as it revolves upon the shaft. On one side between
the end and centre plate is a third mitre wheel keyed fast upon the shaft
in such a way as to gear into the teeth of the two mitre wheels before
described. On the opposite side between the other ends and the centre
plate of the drum is arranged another or fourth mitre wheel, which
must also be arranged to gear into the two wheels in the centre plate of
drum and opposite the third mitre wheel. This fourth mitre wheel may
revolve loosely upon the shaft and may have a long boss extending
through and beyond the end drum plate, upon which extended boss (or
hollow mandril) a fifth wheel (either geared with teeth or a pulley)
should be fixed so as to revolve with the fourth mitre wheel, but outside
the drum in order to convey motion to the object to be propelled. The
friction surface of the drum may be provided with a friction strap to be
used as a brake in order to partially or entirely stop the rotation of the
drum according to the amount of; force applied to the said brake strap.
The action of this combined arrangements is as follows:-A rotating
motion is given by any convenient means to the shaft, which will
revolve loosely within the drum, but carries with it the third mitre
wheel keyed fast thereto; this wheel being geared into the two wheels
in the centre plate of the drum causes them to revolve, and thus rotate
the drum at just one-half the speed of the shaft, and in the same
direction, but the two wheels and drum revolve idly upon or around the
fourth mitre wheel without imparting any motion thereto, it being loose
upon the shaft. In order to make this fourth wheel (and consequently
the fifth wheel) revolve the break must be applied to the periphery of
?

page_text: the drum, which causes it to be partially or wholly stopped. Then the
motion of the third wheel is conveyed through the two wheels of the
centre plate to the fourth wheel, which, together with the fifth wheel,
then revolves in an opposite direction to the shaft, and at a speed exactly
in proportion to the retarding friction applied to the drum through the
break, the result being that the fourth and fifth wheel, and consequently
the object to be propelled, moves first slowly and then with gradually
increasing speed until the maximum speed of the shaft is reached,
which is only attained when the rotating motion of the drum is fully
stopped by the break. The release of the brake instantly releases the
drum or fulcrum of the propelling power, when the drum and wheels
again revolve idly upon the fourth wheel, as before described. The
hollow drum is made dust and fluid-tight, and should be partially filled
with a lubricating fluid, in which the four wheels and bearings may
revolve. Bevil wheels may be used instead of mitre wheels. It may be
convenient to make both end plates of the drum removable, or the drum
may be open at the ends, or with arms, but the before-named form is

page_text: band to the small end of drum, thus reducing the speed to its minimum,
and in readiness to be again slowly and gradually increased to its
maximum by the driver's lever. The latter lever is worked in a quadrant
or other guiding device, and is numbered successively from, say 1 to 10,
in order to show the driver in what position the driving band is adjusted,
and the speed in miles per hour the vehicle will travel. This speed is
regulated by the relative position of the band on the two drums. The
advantages gained by these applications are that the vehicle starts easily
and without jerks, and the reserve power in the engine wheels is applied
at the needful moment when required to overcome the inertia of the
vehicle at starting.
Fifthly. In the application of independent flanges to the bearing
wheels (without flanges) of vehicles to enable them to run either upon
rails or tramways, or upon common roads. For the purpose of keeping
the said bearing wheels upon the rail track I employ smaller sup-
plementary wheels or discs flanges mounted upon separate axles, and so
arranged that the driver of the vehicle may depress them into the
grooves or between the rails of the rail track, or raise them out of the
same when travelling on common roads. These disc flanges are placed
close against the inner faces of and immediately between the edges or
rims of the two opposite bearing wheels, then forming an independent,
continuous, and revolving flange thereto. The bearings & frames
carrying the axle of these dise flanges are carried by the frame or axle.
The bearing wheels and the disc flanges are depressed or raised by means
of a lever or levers, or otherwise suitably arranged so as to be under
the control of the driver while the vehicle is in motion or otherwise.
The frame carrying the leading or trailing, also the supplementary
flange wheels of the vehicle, may be made independent of the vehicle
frame in order to slide or oscillate endways under the frame or platform
thereof, and to allow the vehicle to be turned or guided when on
common roads, and also to follow curves and take junction points of
the tramways. To accomplish this I attach to the wheel frame a radial
arm, having a pin or bolt hole in the end thereof. This arm may be of
any suitable length to reach to any convenient point under the frame
between the end and centre of the vehicle to which it may be attached
by means of a pin or bolt, which will serve as a centre, from which the
wheel frame will oscillate. The frame and wheels may be held in a

page_text: normal position for travelling on straight roads by means of springs or
levers having sufficient flexibility to allow the endway sliding or
oscillatory motion caused while following the curves of the rails, or by
the guiding lever fixed to any part of the frame or platform of the
vehicle, which may be convenient for the use of the driver, and for its
attachment to the wheel frame.
Sixthly. In suppressing the noise caused by the exhaust from an
engine worked with a plenum I cause the exhaust to enter a partially
enclosed chamber having an opening to the atmosphere, but separate
from it by a series of layers of woven wire or other small orifices,
through or between which the exhaust will gradually and noiselessly.
escape out into the atmosphere. This chamber may be fixed in any
convenient place or at any suitable distance from the engine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Daniel Spill in the Great Scal Patent Office on 1
the 5th November 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE. PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DANIEL
SPILL, of High Street, Homerton, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the 37th year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Daniel Spill, Her special license that I, the said Daniel
Spill, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Daniel Spill, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING
TRAMWAY CARS AND OTHER VEHICLES UPON RAILS AND COMMON ROADS, OR BOTH
ALTERNATELY; ALSO APPLICABLE FOR PROPELLING BOATS AND OTHER FLOATING

page_text: VESSELS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Daniel
Spill, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months. next and immediately after the date of the
.said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Daniel Spill, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :--
The said Invention relates more especially, to the propelling of tram-
way cars, and consists,―
Firstly. In the application and use for that purpose of atmospheric
engines, whether working with a plenum or with a plenum and vacuum
combined, and quite irrespective whether such plenum or vacuum be
produced by the alternate expansion and condensation of any of the
carburetted hydrogen gases, or by any of the hydrocarbon fluids or gases,
or otherwise; or in the application and use for that purpose of any other
suitable motive power in combination with an arrangement for stopping
and starting the vehicle without stopping the engine, thereby ensuring a
large reserve of force always in readiness to overcome the inertia of the
vehicle at starting, also for regulating and fixing the speed at which the
vehicle is propelled. The former part of this arrangement is effected by
the employment of a driving wheel in the form of a disc driven by the
engine, and imparting a rotatory movement by frictional contact to a
friction wheel mounted so as to slide along a feather on its shaft which
works in a suitable bearing at each end, and transmits its motion to the
running wheels of the vehicle by pitch chain or gearing. One of these
bearings is capable of sliding vertically in a guide, so as to allow of the
friction wheel being raised into or falling out of contact with the face of
the driving wheel or disc, for the purpose of starting or stopping the
vehicle. The speed of the vehicle is varied by simply moving the friction
wheel along the feather on its shaft, so as to bring it nearer to or further
from the centre of the driving wheel or disc. When at the centre of
the latter the friction wheel ceases to revolve or is in a neutral position;

page_text: Provision is made for stopping,
the vehicle from either end of the
and the vehicle consequently at rest.
starting, and regulating the speed of
same. The power is transmitted from the shaft of the friction wheel to
the axles of the vehicle, either by fixed gearing or by a pitch chain or
chains, or by a band or rope.
Secondly. In the application and use of an atmospheric engine
working as above described, or of any other suitable motive power in
combination with a novel form and application of toothed gear for
starting or stopping and giving differential speeds to the vehicle, pro-
pelled by means of a hollow drum having a friction surface upon its
periphery, and mounted loosely on a shaft passing through its ends and
through its centre portion, which is provided with one or more mitre
wheels mounted on pins or axles at right angles to the said shaft, and
geared into at one end of the drum by a third mitre wheel fast on the
shaft, and at the other end of the drum gearing into a fourth mitre
wheel attached by a tube or boss to a fifth wheel or pulley, and mounted
loosely therewith on the said shaft in such a manner that when on
starting the vehicle a brake is applied by the driver more or less to the
friction surface on the periphery of the hollow drum the latter is more
or less prevented from revolving, and by the continued revolution of the
fixed mitre wheel on the shaft motion is communicated through the
medium of the mitre wheels in the centre portion of the hollow drum to
the fourth mitre wheel connected with the fifth wheel or pulley, which
accordingly revolves round, but in the opposite direction to that of the
shaft, and acting by pitch chains, bands, or ropes upon the running
wheels of the vehicle increases or diminishes the speed of the latter in
proportion to the pressure of the brake on the periphery of the hollow
drum. When the brake is entirely released from the drum the shaft and
its fixed mitre wheel continuing to revolve by the action of the engine
acts upon the mitre wheels in the centre portion of the hollow drum,
which with the latter now revolve round but without moving the fourth
mitre wheel and its connected fifth wheel or pulley. In this condition
of the apparatus the vehicle is sationary or at rest.
Thirdly. In the application of differential motion and speed regulation
to the vehicle by means of two conical (or one conical and one parallel)
shaped drums mounted upon separate shafts at some convenient part of
the vehicle to be propelled, and so arranged opposite to each other as to
have the smallest end of the first or driving drum facing the largest end

page_text: of the second or driven drum. A band, chain, or rope is employed to
communicate motion from the first to the second drum, and is so acted
upon by a guide, clutch, springs, and chain or lever under the control of
the driver that without altering the speed of the first drum that of the
second drum may be increased by forcing the band from the small end
of the first drum towards the large end of the same, and vice versa, the
operating chain or lever being so guided and numbered as to indicate to
the driver in what position it must be placed, so as to adjust the driving
band to the different speeds at which it is desired to propel the vehicle in
miles per hour.
Fourthly. In the application of smaller supplementary wheels or disc
flanges to the bearing wheels (without flanges) of tramway cars or other
vehicles for enabling them to run either upon rails, tramways, or common
roads. These. disc flanges are arranged close against the inner faces of
and immediately between and slightly beyond the peripheries or rims of
two opposite bearing wheels, thus forming independent, continuous, and
revolving flanges therefo. They are connected together by independent
axles, and are carried by arms or levers hinged to the framework of the
vehicle and actuated by a chain or lever, so that the driver may depress
them into the grooves or between the rails of the track, or raise them
out of the same for travelling or common rails.
The frame carrying the leading or trailing wheels with their disc
flanges may be made independent of the vehicle frame by means of a
radial arm attached to the former and pivoted at a convenient point on
the under side of the vehicle; the whole being actuated by springs or
guiding levers under the driver's control, so as to allow the vehicle to be
turned or guided on common roads, or to follow curves and take junction
points of the tramways:
Fifthly. In suppressing the noise caused by the exhaust from an
engine worked with a plenum by causing the exhaust to enter a partially
enclosed chamber having an opening to the atmosphere, but separate
from it, by a series of layers of woven wire or other small orifices through
or between which the exhaust will gradually and noiselessly escape into.
the atmosphere. This chamber may be fixed in any convenient place or
at any suitable distance from the engine.
˝: And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood, I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the samic and for that purpose

page_text: shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings,
the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the
Figures.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a side sectional elevation of one end of a tramway
car or other vehicle propelled by an arrangement of gearing comprised.
under the first part of my Invention; Figure 2, Sheet 1, is a bottom view
or inverted plan of the same; Figure 3, Sheet 1, is a transverse section
of the same; and Figure 4, Sheet 1, is a detached view of a portion of
Figure 1.
A represents a driving wheel or disc which may be placed either
vertically or horizontally in any convenient part of the framing, but
which in this instance is placed horizontally immediately beneath the
bogic frame forming a part of the platform at one end of a tramway car.
It is driven or caused to rotate by the vertical shaft B which is actuated
by the atmospheric engine (or other motive power) placed in any con-
venient position relatively with the latter on the said bogie frame, and
working as herein-before mentioned. In frictional contact (or not) with
the under face of this wheel or disc is the periphery of a friction wheel C
mounted and capable of sliding along a feather a on the horizontal
transverse shaft D, which is the driving shaft of the vehicle, as hereafter
described, and rotates in suitable bearings b, b', at each side of the said
bogie or frame; one of these bearings 6' is capable of sliding vertically
in a guide c, so as to admit of the friction wheel C being raised into or
allowed to fall out of frictional contact with the under face of the wheel
or disc A, for the purpose of starting and stopping the vehicle. The
sliding adjustment of the bearing 6' may be effected in various ways; in
this instance by a drum or disc E mounted horizontally beneath the
driving shaft D on the under side of the framework or bearing bar F,
which is carried down from the sides of the bogie. or frame of the vehicle
for that purpose; d, d, are rods which are jointed or pivotted at
diametrically opposite points of the upper side or cheek of the drum or
disc E near its periphery as shewn. These rods extend towards the end
of the vehicle and are connected at their outer ends by a pitch chain
band or rope e, which passes round a corresponding pulley G keyed on
the end of the upright spindle H operated by the driver of the vehicle, as
hereafter described; d, d², are rods also jointed or pivoted to one side
only of the upper side or cheek of the drum or disc E, near its periphery ;
the rod a leads towards the end of the vehicle, and is connected by a

page_text: chain or cord with the lower end of a vertical arm or lever I keyed to a
horizontal transverse spindle or shaft J mounted in suitable bearings
carried by the bogie or frame overhead, and to one end of which is
secured a horizontal lever K which raises or depresses the bearing 6' in
its guide c as before mentioned. The other rod d² extends in an opposite
direction and is connected by a chain or cord to a vertical arm or lever L
keyed on a horizontal transverse shaft J' mounted in suitable bearings,
and on each end of which is fixed a horizontal lever M which raises or
depresses the brakes N in or out of contact with the peripheries of the
running wheels of the vehicle as shewn.
The upright spindle H is stepped at its lower end into a suitable
bracket or bearing fixed to the under side of the vehicle as shewn, and is
fitted to or otherwise takes its bearing in an upright tube or hollow
spindle O, which is carried by or takes its bearing in an outer pillar or
socket standard P fixed in a convenient position on the bogie or frame
at the end of the vehicle. On the lower end of the upright tube or
hollow spindle O is keyed a wheel or pulley Q round which passes a
pitch chain, band, or rope g extending to and passing round the lower
barrel of a double wheel or pulley R mounted horizontally on the upper
side of the framework or bearing bar F. Over a portion of the periphery
of the upper barrel of the wheel or pulley R passes an endless pitch
chain band or rope h, which extends horizontally and transversely on
each side of the wheel or pulley R, and passes round a wheel or pulley R¹
mounted at each end on the upper side of the framework or bearing
bar F. It is connected to a sleeve or carrier S which is capable of
sliding along a horizontal transverse rectangular or other shaped bar T
fixed at each end to the corresponding ends of the framework or bearing
bar F, at the sides of the bogic or frame of the vehicle as shewn.
Projecting from one side of the sleeve or carrier S are two arms (or a
fork) i, i, which extend across the sides or faces of and embrace the
friction wheel C, so that on the sleeve or carrier S being constrained to:
slide in either direction along its bar T, the fricton wheel C is carried
with it for the purpose hereafter described. Loosely encircling the
driving shaft D between each side of the friction wheel C, and the
bearings b, b¹, of the said shaft are spiral springs x, x, which serve to
keep the friction wheel C normally in the centre of the driving wheel or
disc A, unless otherwise constrained.
°
Figure 4 is a detached view representing the handle and wheel, &c.j,
:

page_text: for operating the upright spindle H. and the upright tube or hollow
spindle O. In this arrangement U is a cap which fits on to the square y
formed on the upper end of the upright spindle H; to the top of this cap
is keyed or otherwise fixed the handle V for operating or turning the
cap U with the upright spindle H; W is a hand wheel formed with
radial arms z, z, numbered successively from, say, 1 to 10, the number
on the handle brought opposite the driver or operator indicating the
speed in miles per hour at which the vehicle is propelled. The boss or
hub of the wheel W is fitted loosely round the upper portion of the
cap U and takes its bearing upon a shoulder on the latter; k is a tooth
or catch which is formed lengthwise on the boss or hub of the wheel W
and fits into a corresponding slot or notch / extending downwards from
the upper extremity of the upright tube or hollow spindle O, as shewn.
Motion is communicated from the driving shaft D to the running
wheels of the vehicle by the driving wheels X, X, which are keyed or
otherwise secured to the driving shaft D and connected by endless pitch
chains, bands, or ropes 2, with the wheels Y, Y, on the respective axles
of the running wheels; or the power may be transmitted from the
driving shaft D by any other suitable gearing or mechanism as may be
found most desirable.
The manner in which the various apparatus here described operate
for starting and propelling or stopping a tramway car or other vehicle is
as follows:-
It is to be assumed that the handle V and hand wheel W are in their
proper positions on the top of the outer pillar or socket standard P, so
that the handle V actuates the upright spindle H by means of the cap U,
and that the hand wheel W operates the upright tube or hollow spindle O
by means of the tooth or catch and the slot or notch ¹. Also that
the atmospheric engine or other motive power, before mentioned, is
running and communicates a constant rotary motion to the wheel or
disc A, the friction wheel C being at the same time at the central
portion of but out of contact with the under running or friction face of
the latter.
It being desired to propel the vehicle at, say, its maximum speed, the
driver partially rotates the upright spindle H by the handle V and a
cap U, and the wheel or pulley G acting upon the rods d, d, turns the
drum or disc E to a corresponding extent, and the latter through the

page_text: rod d¹ pulls upon the lever I, thereby partially rotating the shaft J which
raises the lever K and with it the bearing b¹ of the driving shaft D; the
effect of the combined movement being to raise the friction wheel C and
to bring its periphery in contact with the said central portion of the
running or friction face of the wheel or disc A. Simultaneously with
this movement of the friction wheel C the rod 2 with its connected
lever L, shaft J¹, and levers M, are slackened, and the brakes N thereby
free to drop out of contact with the peripheries of the running wheels
of the vehicle. The hand wheel W is now gradually rotated until one
of its radial arms ≈ corresponding in number to the desired maximum
speed in miles per hour is brought opposite to the driver. By which
operation the upright tube or hollow spindle O is gradually rotated to a
corresponding extent; and the wheel or pulley Q acting through tho
endless pitch chain g gradually turns the double wheel or pulley R, which
pulls upon and causes the endless pitch chain h to travel over the
pulleys R, and in so doing to pull the sleeve or carrier S along to its bar
T, and with it (by means of the fork i, i,) the friction wheel C is moved
along the driving shaft D and across the running or friction face of the
wheel or disc A, gradually receding further from the centre of the
latter, and thereby gradually increasing the speed of the vehicle until
the friction wheel C arrives at or near the outer edge of the said face,
or in that position thereon which gives the requisite ratio between the
speed of the wheel or disc A and that of the friction wheel .C for
driving the vehicle at its desired maximum speed. By the revolution of
the friction wheel C and the driving shaft D motion is communicated
to the running wheels of the vehicle by the driving wheels X, X, acting
through the chains 1, 1, and wheels Y, Y, as before mentioned. By
gradually drawing the friction wheel C in this manner from the central
or neutral position towards the outer edge of the running or friction face
of the wheel or disc A, i.e., from the minimum to the maximum speed, a'
slow and easy motion is ensured to the vehicle at starting.
Although the description here given is for propelling the vehicle at
its maximum speed the speed of the latter may be varied or regulated
at pleasure by retaining the friction wheel C at any point of its travel
intermediate to the centre and outer edge of the face of the wheel or
disc A, to effect which the hand wheel W is only partially rotated until
one of its radial arms z, indicating the desired speed in miles per hour, is
brought opposite to the driver.

page_text: The vehicle may be stopped in two ways; first, by turning the handle
V in the reverse direction so as to slacken the rod d', which allows the
bearing 6' to drop in its guide c, and causes the friction wheel C to fall
out of contact with the wheel or disc A at the same time the drum or
dise E pulls upon the rod d², which raises or brings the brakes N into
contact with the running wheels, and thereby speedily retards and stops
the vehicle; and secondly, by simply releasing the hand wheel W without
moving the handle V, in which case the friction wheel C is brought to
the centre of the wheel or disc A or into a neutral position by the action
of the spiral springs x, x, so that no motion of the vehicle ensues.
found desirable however the hand wheel W may be retained in any
desired position by a suitable locking device, in which case the vehicle
can be stopped or started by the handle V alone, as described. Provision-
is made for stopping and starting and for regulating the speed of the
vehicle from either end thereof.
If
Figure 5, Sheet 1, is a side sectional elevation of a novel arrangement
of toothed gear to be used in combination with the aforesaid engine (or
other motive power) for starting, propelling, or stopping, and giving
differential speeds to the vehicle in lieu of the wheel or disc A and
operating mechanism previously described; and Figure 6, Sheet 1, is a
transverse section of the same, with a portion of Figure 5 removed.
Z is an annular hollow drum having a friction surface on its periphery
and formed with two ends Z, Z', and one centre plate Z³, through the
centres of which ends and plate passes the driving shaft D' (corresponding
to the shaft D in Figure 1) mounted in suitable bearings at the sides of
the bogie or frame of the vehicle. In the centre plate Z2 are mounted
two mitre wheels 1, 1, which revolve loosely on pins 2, 2, fixed at right
angles with the axis of the drum Z, and are carried round with the drum
as it revolves upon the shaft D'. On one side between the end Z and
centre plate Z2 is a third mitre wheel 3 keyed fast upon the shaft D¹ so
as to gear into the mitre wheels 1, 1, and on the opposite side between
the end Z and the centre plate Z2 is another or fourth mitre wheel 4,
which also gears into the mitre wheels 1; 1, on that side of the centre
plate. This fourth mitre wheel 4 is formed with a central tubular boss
or sleeve, and revolves therewith loosely on the shaft D'. The said boss
or sleeve extends through and beyond the end Z' of the drum Z, and is
fitted at its end outside the latter with a fifth wheel or pulley 5, which
corresponds with one of the driving wheels X in Figure 1, and gives

page_text: motion to the running wheels of the vehicle, as hereafter described. The
friction surface of the drum Z is encircled by a friction strap m, which
is caused to come in contact with the said surface or act as a brako
thereon to retard or stop the revolution of the drum Z by the levers n, n¹,
acted upon by the chains or cords p, p', extending to each end of the
vehicle respectively. The action of this apparatus is as follows:-By
means of the aforesaid engine the driving shaft D¹ is caused to revolve
loosely within the drum Z. In so doing it carries with it the fixed mitre
wlicel 3, which causes the mitre wheels 1, 1, in the centre plate Z² of the
drum Z to revolve, and thus rotate the latter at just one-half- the speed
of and in the same direction as the shaft D', but the mitre wheels 1; 1,
and the drum Z revolve idly around the fourth mitre wheel 4 without
imparting any motion thereto, it being loose with its connected wheel or.
pulley upon the shaft D'. To cause the fourth wheel 4 and fifth wheel
or pulley 5. to revolve the brake is applied to the friction surface on the
periphery of the drum Z, which causes the latter to be partially or
wholly stopped. The motion of the third mitre wheel 3 is now trans-
mitted through the two mitre wheels 1, 1, to the fourth mitre wheel 4,
which with the fifth wheel or pulley 5 then revolve in an opposite.
direction to the shaft D'.and at a speed exactly in proportion to the:
retarding friction of the brake on the drum Z, the result being that the
vehicle which is driven or propelled by the fifth wheel or pulley 5 moves
first slowly and then with gradually increasing speed until the maximum
speed of the shaft D' is reached, which takes place when the revolution
of the drum Z is fully stopped by the brake.. The release of the brake
instantly releases, the drum Z (or fulcrom of the propelling power, when
the latter and the mitre wheels 1, 1, again revolve idly round the fourth.
mitre wheel 4, as before described. The drum Z is made dust and fluid-
tight, and should be partially filled with a lubricating fluid, in which
the four wheels and bearings may revolve. Bevel wheels may be used
instead of mitre wheels. It may be convenient to make both end plates
of the drum Z removeable, or the drum may be open at both ends or
make with arms, but the form before described is preferable.
Figure 7, Sheet 2, is a plan illustrating a method of giving differential.
motion and speed regulation to the vehicle propelled according to the
third part of my Invention.
A represents a conically shaped drum secured to a horizontal trans-
verse shaft B, which is mounted in suitable bearings at the sides of the

page_text: vehicle, and on which is keyed the wheel C, the whole receiving a rotary
motion from the engine placed in a convenient part of the vehicle, as in
the cases previously described. A¹ is a second conically shaped drum
secured to the horizontal transverse shaft D2, on which is keyed the
driving wheel X', which gives motion to the running wheels of the
vehicle, as is the case with either of the driving wheels X, in Figure 1;
Sheet 1. The two drums A and A¹ are so arranged relatively to one
another as to have the larger end of the first drum A opposite to the
smaller end of the second drum A¹, and vice versa, and in such a position
that motion is communicated from one to the other by means of the
endless band chain or cord a, which passes between guides or a fork b,
one side of which is connected by a spiral or other spring c with that
side of the vehicle, the tension of the said spring constantly tending to
draw the band a towards the smaller end of the first drum A. To the
other side of the guides or fork b is attached a chain or cord d, which
passes round a wheel or pulley e, and extends towards either end of the
vehicle, where it is wound round a drum or pulley (not shown) under
the control of the driver outside; and close against the extreme larger
end of the drum A' is a flanged pulley A², which is loose on the shaft D³,
and receives the band a when the vehicle is at rest.
Normally, or at first starting the vehicle, the band a will be at the
extreme smaller end of the driving drum A, and on the loose pulley A²,
which will consequently revolve without giving any motion to the
shaft D. By winding up the chain or cord d the band a is now drawn
(by means of the guides or fork 6) on to the larger end of the driven
drum A', which will consequently be rotated and the vehicle propelled
thereby at its minimum speed. If desired to increase the speed by
still further winding up the chain or cord d, the band a will be drawn
from the smaller end of the driving drum A toward the larger end
thereof, and towards the smaller end of the driven drum A, which will
consequently be rotated and the vehicle propelled at a gradually
increasing speed until the band a arrives at the larger end of the driving
drum A, when the maximum speed of the vehicle will be attained.
During this operation the driving drum A will constantly run at one
uniform speed.
In lieu of the chain or cord d a lever and link may be used, or the
band a may be shifted by any other suitable contrivance.
In either case the face or guide against which the operating handle or,

page_text: lever works may be numbered so as to indicate to the driver in what
position the handle or lever should be placed to adjust correctly the
position of the band a on the drums A. and A', so as to give any desired
speed to the vehicle in miles per hour.
"
Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 2, are sectional views showing a modification
of this part of my Invention.
In this case in lieu of the two conically shaped drums A. and A¹, as
seen in Figure 7, I employ a parallel driving drum E which is
placed opposite to a series of parallel driven drums F, G, G¹, G³,
H, H¹, H³, H³, arranged and working close together, side by side on the
driving shaft Ds of the vehicle in the following manner, videlicet :-
The centre drum F is loose on the shaft Ds, and revolves thereon by the
action of the band a', which is constantly running from the driving
drum E. The drum G on one side of and next to the centre drum F is
loose on the shaft D³, but is formed with a central circular boss x,.which
projects into an enlarged circular recess y in the face of the succeeding
drum G¹. The periphery of the boss x is formed with spur teeth which
engage with the corresponding teeth of a pinion f mounted on a stud or
pin at the back of the recess y and engaging with another similar
pinion (see Figure 9), also mounted at the back of the recess y. This
latter pinion gears into the toothed internal periphery or surrounding
wall of the recess y. The drum G' is geared with the succeeding drum G³
in a similar manner, the last-named drum only being keyed fast on the
driving shaft D³ of the vehicle.
The same description applies to the drums H, H1, H2, on the other side
of the centre drum F, with this difference, that the drum H² is not
keyed on the shaft D³, but is geared by a single pinion ƒ with the
internal periphery of a fourth drum H³, which is keyed fast on the said
shaft. This last arrangement is for the purpose of reversing the shaft D³
as hereafter described.
Proceeding now to describe the manner in which differential speed is
given to the vehicle by this apparatus it is to be presumed that the
driving band a' is at the middle portion of the drum E and running
round on the loose centre driven drum F without producing any motion
in the driving shaft D³ of the vehicle. By the mechanism described for
that purpose in the preceding arrangement the band a¹ is shifted, say
from the centre drum F to the first drum G, whichi commencing to
B

page_text: rotate communicates its motion by means of the internal gearing to the
succeeding drum G', which transmits its motion to the next drum G²,
and consequently to the driving shaft D³ in the same direction as the
first drum G. The effect of this movement, owing to the peculiar
arrangement of the said internal gear, is to diminish the speed through
each succeeding drum until it is reduced to a minimum through the last
drum G³, which rotates the shaft D³ and propels the vehicle accordingly.
. By shifting the band a¹ on the contrary directly from the centre or
loose. drum F on to the last drum G2 the maximum speed of the vehicle
is obtained, and by shifting it directly on to the middle drum G¹ an
intermediate speed is obtained. The same varying speed is obtained by
shifting the band a¹ on to either of the drums H, H', H2, on the other
side of the centre drum F, only that in this case the fourth or last drum
H³ rotates the shaft D³ in an opposite or reverse direction by means of
the single pinion f² before mentioned, and which is substituted for the
two pinions and f¹ in the other drums, thereby propelling the vehicle
•
in a backward direction.
Figures 10 and 11, Sheet 2, are sectional views illustrating the fourthi
part of my Invention.
I, I, are supplementary wheels or disc flangés mounted upon the
separate axle J, and arranged immediately between and close against
the inner edges of the peripheries of the bearing wheels K, K, of the
vehicle, thus forming independent, continuous, and revolving flanges.
thereto. The axle J is carried by arms or levers L, L, which are hinged
to the brackets M, M, secured at each side of the framing of the vehicle
on the other side of the bearing wheels K, K, as shewn. is a chain or
rope attached to the arms or levers L, L, and passing over a wheel or
pulley m towards either end of the vehicle, where it is wound round a
wheel or pulley under the control of the driver. k, k¹, are springs which
press against the arms or levers L, L, in such a manner that on the
driver releasing the chain or rope the supplementary wheels or disc
flanges I, I, are depressed into the grooves of the track (when running
on tramways) and on winding up the chain are raised out of the.track
and away from the edges of the running wheels (when running on
common roads)..
:
The frame carrying the leading or trailing and the supplementary
wheels or disc flanges of the vehicle may be made independent of the

page_text: vehicle frame so as to slide or oscillate endways under the frame or under
the platform thereof, and thereby allow the vehicle to be turned or
guided when on common roads, and also to follow curves and tako
junction points of the tramways. To accomplish this I attach to the
wheel frame a radial arm having a pin or bolt hole in the end thereof.
This arm may be of any suitable length to reach to any convenient point
under the frame between the end and centre of the vehicle to which it
may be attached by means of a pin or bolt, which will serve as a centre
on which the wheel frame will oscillate. The frame and wheels may be
held in a normal position for travelling on straight roads by means of
springs or levers having sufficient flexibility to allow of the endway
sliding or oscillating motion caused while following the curves of the
rails, or they may be held by the guiding lever, which may be fixed to
any part of the frame or platform of the vehicle most convenient for the
use of the driver and for its attachment to the wheel frame.
The entire or any part of my Invention, as herein-before described;
may be adapted for driving or propelling any description of vehicle;
whether running upon tramways or common roads, or both alternately,
and for propelling boats and other similar floating vessels or bodies.
Having now described- and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used
or carried into. effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The application and use of an atmospheric engine or other
motive power rotating a wheel or disc combined with a sliding and
adjustable friction wheel on the driving shaft and with operating gear
to tramway cars or other vehicles, substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described and partly illustrated by Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4,
on Sheet 1 of my Drawings.
Second. The construction, arrangement, and use of a hollow drum
provided with a friction surface, and with bevel or mitre wheels in com-
bination with a third bevel or mitre wheel fixed on a revolving shaft,
and with a fourth bevel or mitre wheel loose, with a fifth wheel or pulley
6 on the said shaft and in combination with a brake strap and operating
gear, substantially as and for the purposes hercin-before described and
illustrated by Figures 5 and 6 on Sheet 1 of my Drawings.

page_text: Third. The application and use of an atmospheric engine or other-
motive power in combination with my second claim to tramway cars or
other vehicles, substantially as and for the purposes. hercin-before
described and partly illustrated by Figures 5 and 6 on Sheet 1 of my
Drawings.
6. Fourth. The application and use of an atmospheric engine or other
motive power in combination with two conical or one conical and one
parallel shaped drums mounted upon separate shafts and driven by
endless bands or chains in combination with operating gear to tramway
cars or other vehicles, substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described and partly illustrated by Figure 7 on Sheet 2 of my
Drawings.
Fifth. The application and use of an atmospheric engine or other
motive power in combination with one parallel and with a series of
parallel shaped drums mounted upon a separate shaft, and formed with
internal gearing, the whole driven by endless bands or chains in com-
bination with operating gear to tramway cars or other vehicles, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes hercin-before described and partly
illustrated by Figures 8 and 9 on Sheet 2 of my Drawings.
Sixth. The application and use of supplementary wheels or dise
flanges to the bearing wheels of tramway cars or other vehicles, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes herein-before described and illustrated
by Figures 10 and 11 on Sheet 2 of my Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Daniel Spill, have to this my
Specification, set my hand and seal; the Second day of November
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
הרזיזר
DANIEL SPILL.
(L.S.)