CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WHEEL CARRIAGES AND OF PLOUGHS, AND OTHER IMPLEMENTS USED IN HUSBANDRY, TO BE MOVED BY STEAM, HEATED AIR, OR VAPOUR;
Year: 1816

page_text: REYNOLDS' SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
REYNOLDS, of Retley, in the parish of Wellington, in the County of Salop,
Esquire, send greeting.
WHEREAS I, the said Joseph Reynolds, did by my petition humbly represent
to His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third, that I had after much
labour,. study, and expence, found out and invented "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF WHEEL CARRIAGES AND OF PLOUGHS, AND OTHER IMPLEMENTS
USED IN HUSBANDRY, TO BE MOVED BY STEAM, HEATED AIR, OR VAPOUR;" which
Invention I believed would be of much benefit and utility; that I was the
first and true inventor thereof, and that the same had never been made or
used by any other person or persons to my knowledge or belief, I therefore
most humbly prayed His said Majesty would be graciously pleased to grant
unto me, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, His Royal Letters Patent under His
Great Seal of Great Britain, for the sole constructing, working, using, exer-
cising, and selling of my Invention, and for all other benefit and advantage
thereof, within England and Wales and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed,
and also in all His Colonies and Plantations abroad, for the term of fourteen
years, pursuant to the Statute in that case made and provided; His said
Majesty being willing to give encouragement to all arts and inventions which
might be for the public good, was graciously pleased to condescend to my requests,
and therefore by His Royal Letters Patent, bearing date at Westminster, the
Ninth day of January last past, of His especial grace, certain knowledge, and
mere motion, for Himself, His heirs and successors, did give and grant unto me,
the said Joseph Reynolds, my exors, admors, and assigns, His especial licence,
full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Joseph Reynolds, my-

page_text: exors, admors, and assigns, and every of us, by myself and themselves, or by my
and their deputy or deputies, servants or agents, or such others as I, the said
Joseph Reynolds, my exors, adññors, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter, during the term of
years therein-after expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend my said Invention within that part of His Majesty's United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland called England, His Dominion of Wales, and the
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in all His Colonies and Plantations
abroad, in such manner as to me, the said Joseph Reynolds, my exors, admors,
and assigns, or of any of us, should in my or their discretion seem meet, and
that I, the said Joseph Reynolds, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, should and
lawfully might have and enjoy the whole profit, benefit, commodity, and advan-
tage, from time to time coming, growing, accrewing, and arising by reason of
the said Invention, for and during the term of years therein mentioned, to
have, hold, exercise, and enjoy the said licence, powers, priviledges, and advan-
tages therein-before granted or mentioned to be granted unto me, the said
Joseph Reynolds, my exors, admors, and assigns, for and during and unto the
full end and term of fourteen years from the date of the said Letters Patent,
next and immediately ensuing, and fully to be complete and ended according to
the Statute in that case made and provided; in which said Letters Patent is
contained a proviso that if I, the said Joseph Reynolds, should not particularly.
describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
and cause the same to be inrolled in His said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within two, calendar months next and immediately after the date of..
the said. Letters Patent, then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties and:
advantages, whatsoever thereby granted, should utterly cease, determine, and
become void, anything therein-before contained to the contrary thereof in any,
wise notwithstanding, as in and by the said Letters Patent, relation being
thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Reynolds, in compliance with.
the said proviso, do by these Presents, and by the Plan hereunto annexed,
describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, that is to say :-
I declare that the object of my said Invention is, by the use of steam, heated
air, or other vapour, to propel or give motion to wheel carriages on ordinary
roads, and also to apply the power of steam, heated air, or other vapour, to the
working of ploughs and other implements used in husbandry. In producing
the steam, or in the formation of the steam engine, I claim no Invention fur-
ther than in the mode of suspending the boiler and constructing the joints

page_text: of the pipes or tubes which communicate therewith, so that the boiler may in
all movements retain a horizontal position, and swing without injury to the
joints of such pipes or tubes. My Invention consists in the mode of applying
a steam engine or engines, and the formation of the machinery upon which it.
is to act; and I especially declare that the said Invention and improvement in
the construction of wheel carriages consists, first, in the addition of a toothed
wheel in the plan annexed, marked B, Figures 1, 2, and 3, made of brass, iron,
or other proper material, which is connected with, fixed on, or made a part of
one of the carriage wheels on each side of the carriage, marked A, A, which
toothed wheel B is fitted to receive the impulse of the steam engine through
the medium of other toothed wheels, for the purpose of impelling and especially.
of directing and turning the carriage by the power of steam, heated air, or
other vapour. N.B.-Though a toothed wheel is above specified, the same end
may be effected by the use of single teeth, or segments of circles having teeth
upon them, being cast upon and making part of or fastened to the wheel A, or
some part thereof.
Secondly, my Invention consists in adding, between the engine and the said
toothed wheels, a counter shaft marked H, made of cast iron, wrought iron, or.
other proper material, and duplicate wheels of communication also made of
brass, iron, or other proper material, in the said Plan marked C, D, E, and F,
which duplicate wheels are so contrived that when the power or impulse
of the engine is exerted upon some of them, say through E, F, to C, the
carriage wheel to which the impulse of the engine. is finally directed
may be driven through so much space by each stroke of the engine, as
shall be deemed suitable for driving the carriage along or upon ground.
where the ascent or other obstacle to the progress of the carriage is not great,
or for the purpose of driving such wheel quicker than the opposite one, and
thereby turning the carriage to the right or left; and when the power or
impulse of the engine is exerted upon some other wheels, say through D to C,
then the carriage wheel to which the impulse of the engine is finally directed
may be driven through so much space by every stroke of the engine, as
shall be deened suitable for impelling the carriage along or upon ground
where the ascent or other obstacle to the progress of the carriage is greater,
or for the purpose of impelling such wheel slower than the opposite one, and
thereby allowing the carriage to turn to the right or left. And these dupli-
cate wheels are also so contrived that they may be completely severed and
removed from all communication with the engine, so that no part of the
impulse of the engine can pass through any of them to the carriage wheel,
with which they respectively communicate, and the carriage will in conse-
quence cease to be moved by it. For further explanation, see the Plan,

page_text: Figures 1, 2, and 3, where the wheel which works into the toothed wheel B is
marked C, and is fixed on the counter shaft H. The same wheel C receives the
impulse of the steam engine, either directly from the small toothed wheel
marked D, which is upon the crank shaft I, or indirectly through the wheels
E and F, and the counter shaft H. In the former case, when the power of
the engine is exerted on D, the wheel C communicates it to the wheel B, and
consequently to the carriage wheel A. In the latter case the wheel F receives
the impulse from the wheel E, and communicates it through the medium of
the counter shaft H to the toothed wheel C, -by means of which the impulse
of the engine is, as in the former case, communicated to the toothed wheel B,
which is fixed to the carriage wheel A. The wheels marked D and E have
certain projections or joggles upon them, marked d, d, and e, e, and are placed
on two cylindrical parts of the crank shaft I, which is an usual and customary
part of steam engines in common use, and may be made of wrought iron or
any other suitable material. And the said wheels are placed on cylindrical
parts of the said crank shaft as aforesaid, in order that when the action of the
steam engine is intended to be withdrawn from either of the wheels D or E.
or from both of them, either or both of the said wheels may be turned loosely
upon the round part of the said shaft I, or suffer the said shaft to turn freely
round in the holes or naves of the said wheels D and E, or either of them,
as the case may require. The sort of wheel without teeth, called by the
name of a crab, made of cast iron, brass, or other suitable material,
and marked K, K, is also placed on the crank shaft between the two wheels
marked D and E, in such a manner as that from the angular form of the
shaft, or from some other construction, the shaft cannot turn round without
turning the crab, yet that the said crab may be moved sideways along and
upon the said shaft, so as to come in contact with either of the wheels D and E,
and to receive within certain grooves or cavities in the sides of the said crab
the projecting parts d, d, or e, e, of such one of the said wheels D and E, as
the crab may be so brought into contact with. Nevertheless it is essential that
there be sufficient space between the said wheels D and E for the said crab to
remain between them without touching either of them, in order that the action
of the engine upon the carriage wheel, with which these wheels D and E com-
municate, may be entirely withdrawn at pleasure, as before mentioned. For
the better understanding of this part of my Invention, I further declare that
the said crabs are moved sideways by means of a fork of iron, brass, or other
proper material, the points of which embrace the crab, as shewn in the Plan at
K, K, Figure 1, which fork is fixed to the side of an upright shaft or spindle
of iron, or other suitable material, so that when the spindle is turned round, or
partly round, the fork turns to the right or left in the same manner, and moves

page_text: the crab along the shaft on which it is placed. And for the purpose of turning
the said shaft l, a sector or part of a wheel, made of iron or other suitable -
material, with teeth so formed as to admit an endless screw, is placed upon the.
upper part of the said shaft I, I, to receive the thread of the endless screw,
which being turned by the windless n, n, enables the engineer, or person.
having the direction of the engine, to adjust and determine the position of the
crab K, K, as the same may be required; but if any other means of producing
this end can be adopted, I do not mean to restrict myself to the use of the
mode now pointed out. And if any mode of obtaining a circular motion from
a steam engine, other than by a crank, is made use of, these wheels D and E.
may be placed on any revolving shaft or spindle which receives such rotatory
motion from the engine; and other forms may be given to the shaft, besides
that now described, which will cause the crab to move round at all times with
the crank shaft or other rotatory shaft on which it is placed. It is not impor-
tant to the action of the crab whether it is furnished with cavities to receive
the joggles or projecting parts from the wheels D and E, or whether the pro-
jecting parts are on the crab, as is most usual, and the cavities are in the
wheels, provided that the wheels are of such a size and strength as to admit.
of the cavities without weakening them, which is not the case with the
wheel D as here drawn.
"
Thirdly, my Invention consists in adding machinery proper for giving to one
of the carriage wheels a motion directly the reverse of that which is given by
the engine to the carriage wheel on the opposite side, and thereby turning the
carriage round, or partly round, or into a different direction, with certainty and
in a small space. This is done by means of a toothed wheel, made of iron or
other suitable material, marked L in the Plan, which may be brought between
the carriage wheels A, A, so as to connect with the toothed wheels marked b, b,
which are fastened to, or communicate with, or make part of the said carriage
wheels A, A, or may be fastened to or make part of the toothed wheels
marked B, B, so that in the case of one of the carriage wheels A and A being
turned or driven round to carry that side of the carriage forward, and the com-
munication of the engine with the other wheel being removed at the duplicate
wheels E, F, as before explained, the other carriage wheel is, by the inter-.
vention of the wheel L, driven round in a direction exactly contrary, and conse-'
quently the carriage will be turned round, or partly round, in a very short space.
This effect will also be produced if toothed wheels are added to each set of
duplicate wheels C, C, D, D, E, E, F, F, so that they may occasionally com-
municate therewith in such a manner that the motion of the counter shaft H,
in either of those sets of duplicate wheels, may be reversed. Or the same
effect may, when two engines are employed, be produced, by causing one of

page_text: them to move in a different direction, and seperately from the other. As, for
example, if the two cranks shewn in the Plan were disconnected, and a fly-
wheel was placed on each crank, so that the cranks might work seperately
when necessary, the steam engines might be worked in reverse ways and pro-
duce that effect.
Fourthly, my Invention consists in adding to the carriage a shaft spindle or
axis of brass, iron, or other metal, with proper brasses or journeys for the
spindle to turn or move in, which axis is for the support of the boiler, and for
enabling it to remain or tend to remain in an horizontal position, although the
carriage may be moving up or down hill. The axis is marked M in the Plan,
Figures 1, 2, and 3, and the boiler N is made fast to it by hoops, straps, and
bars, and by screw bolts or cotters of iron or other metal, as shewn at o
in the said Plan, Figure 1 and 2; or it may be fastened thereto in any other
manner which may be found more convenient, but those specified are sufficient.
This axis or shaft may be hollow, and form a communication between the
boiler and the steam pipe or steam pipes of the engine or engines by means of
one or more stuffing box or boxes, as shewn in the Plan, P, Figures 1, 2, and 3,
which stuffing box admits the end of the axis to turn in the steam pipes; or
the axis may embrace the steam pipes and move round upon them; or the
union of the axis with the steam pipes may be accomplished by any of the
means by which a shaft or spindle, whether hollow or solid, is fitted and made
to turn easily, but without leakage, in or through the side of a nozzle, pipe, or
other similar vessel containing steam, heated air, or vapour. I also place in
the said axis or shaft a stopcock or throttle cock for the purpose of shutting
out the steam or heated air from the engine, in order to stop the engine sud-
denly, or regulate the quantity of heated air, steam, or other vapour, which
shall from time to time pass to the engine. And for the more completely
preserving the steam engine from being injured, and the joints of the steam
pipes and other parts of the said engine from becoming loose and imperfect,
by the shaking or motion of the said boiler when suspended as aforesaid,
whether through the weakness of the carriage or otherwise, I make use of
another similar joint in the steam pipes before they unite with the cylinder
or with the nozzles, steam boxes, or cocks which they may communicate with.
This joint is shewn at Q in the Plan, Figure 1, 2, and 3; but it is not neces-
sary that the steam should pass through the axis. The steam pipes may be
brought from the boiler in the same parralel line with the axis, and the same
joint as before described made use of, and a similar joint placed at Q in like
manner. If, however, such joints have ever been used before in the steam
pipes of engines driving carriages, I do not mean to include them in the said
Patent further than as they are necessary for the use of a self-adjusting boiler.

page_text: For the sake of simplifying the construction of the carriage and increasing
the strength of it, I make use of only two carriage wheels, marked A, A,
which may be properly called rollers, being very wide, for supporting the chief
part of the weight of the carriage and lading, and for guiding and turning
the carriage by the impulse of the engine, at the same time using a third
wheel, marked R, to support the front of the carriage and prevent it over-
balancing on either side. I also apply what is called a brake, with a sufficient
pressure to excite friction on the surface of each wheel A, A; or I introducė
wheels: fitted to receive a similar brake or brakes for the same purpose on the
crank shaft I, I, at i, i, Figures 1 and 3, as is found to be most convenient for
the purpose of regulating the engine on descents, but I do not claim an
exclusive right so to do.
.
Lastly, I, the said Joseph Reynolds, do hereby further declare that my imt
provements in the construction of agricultural instruments consist, first, in con-
necting them with the carriage above described, so that rollers, ploughs, cul-
tivators, twin-harrows, drilling machines, and other machines for the ploughing,
breaking up, sowing, or cleaning of land, whether single or compound, may
be drawn or moved by the carriage, instead of horses, oxen, or other animals.
Secondly, in adding to the spur wheel F, or to any other rotative wheel
or rotative shaft in the said machine fit for the purpose, a spur wheel and
shaft, or other usual mode of communicating power in machinery, and annexing
the same to any machine for threshing or winnowing corn, grain, pulse, seeds
or any other purpose, so that the power of the engine may be thereby com-
municated to such machine, in which case the wheel E should be placed on
a round part of the counter shaft H, and be fastened thereto by a pin or
pins f, f. Figure 4, or other means whereby the wheel shall be made fast to
the shaft, but so as to be withdrawn and leave the wheel F at liberty to
turn on the shaft H, without moving the carriage, which should be stationary
whilst the machine is at work.
EXPLANATIONS.
Figure 1 is a ground plan of the carriage, shewing the.carriage wheels and
toothed wheels, and the machinery for communicating the impulse of the

page_text: Figure 4 shews the manner in which the wheel F is secured upon or set at
liberty from the counter shaft H.
A, A, denote the carriage wheels; B, B, the toothed wheel attached to the
carriage wheel; C, C, the large toothed wheel on counter shaft; D, D, the small
toothed wheels on the crank shaft; E, E, the large toothed wheel on the crank
shaft; F, F, the small toothed wheel on the counter shaft; H, H, the counter
shaft; I, I, the crank shaft; K, K, the crabs to communicate the power of
the engine to the carriage; L, small bevel gear wheel used in turning the
carriage round; M, M, the axis to carry the boiler; N, N, the boiler; 0, 0,
hoops or straps to bind the boiler to the axis; P, P, stuffing boxes where the
steam pipes communicate with the axis; Q, Q, joints against the steam cocks;
R, the wheel to support the front of the carriage; S, S, the brakes on the
.wheel A, A; T, T, pieces of iron or other material to keep the dirt out of the
wheels B, B.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Reynolds, have hereunto set my
hand and seal the Twenty-sixth day of February, in the fifty-sixth year
of the reign of His said most Excellent Majesty George the Third, by
the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth, and in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixteen..