Improvements in or relating to Motor Cycles and other Motor Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 19th July, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 19th Jan., 1900-Accepted, 19th May, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Motor Cycles and other Motor
Vehicles.
I, HARRY JOHN LAWSON, Engineer, of 40, Holborn Viaduct, in the County
of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide means for constructing a very
simple and cheap form of motor and speed gear adapted for application to
existing cycles and other vehicles, and has particular reference to the application
of such a mechanism to bicycles. Many attempts have been made to construct
a successful motor bicycle but as yet every such attempt has proved a failure
either on the ground of expense, weight, or through lack of rigidity. In these
attempts the motor has been placed upon the frame of the bicycle between the
legs of the rider, which was found extremely inconvenient owing to the heat of
the motor; it has also been placed on other parts of the frame and geared to the
road wheel by belts and chains, which on account of their stretching and wear-
ing have been found unsuitable. Driving direct from the road wheel without
gearing down has been tried, and this too has proved entirely unsatisfactory.
After much experiment I have found that I can successfully attach the motor
to the side of the fork or frame of a bicycle or other vehicle without undue
strain upon said fork or frame, and in such a manner as to be rigid when in use
whilst being easily detachable at will.
According to one method of carrying out my invention I suspend the motor
from an extension of the axle of one of the road wheels which is made to project
beyond the fork by which it is carried, the motor being preferably of the De
Dion type in which the strains between the piston, cylinder and crank shaft
are sustained by the motor casing. I then mount a toothed wheel free upon the
road wheel axle between one blade of the fork and the road wheel. This toothed
wheel need not be connected to the hub of the road wheel, but may be connected
by one or more spring attachments to the rim of the wheel. This arrangement
enables me to use my device without necessitating a specially built road wheel.
The motor shaft, which projects only a short distance from the casing of the
motor, carries a pinion arranged to gear with the wheel on the road wheel axle
and the motor is provided with an eccentric or other device by which it may be
swung upon its suspending pin or axle so that the pinion is brought into or
out of engagement with the wheel on the road wheel axle.
Although the above is one method of carrying out this invention, it will be
understood that the details may be modified without departing from the spirit
of the invention, the principal features of which are the suspension of the
motor preferably from a point central with the wheel axle, the driving from the
motor being effected however from a point not central with the said axle, and
means by which the shock of each working stroke of the motor is prevented from
being communicated to the road wheel through the medium of the speed gear.
The lever for operating the eccentric or other device by which the motor is
་

page_text: swung may be placed in any convenient position relatively to the driver of the
vehicle, and the mechanism may be applied either to the front or rear wheel
of a cycle or vehicle.
H. J. LAWSON.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to Motor Cycles and other Motor
Vehicles.
I, HARRY JOHN LAWSON, Engineer, of 40, Holborn Viaduct, in the County
of London, 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 certain improvements in motor driving mechanisms
particularly adapted for attachment to existing forms of bicycles or horse-
drawn vehicles, and further relates to improvements in vehicles provided with
such motor driving mechanisms. According to one method of carrying out this
invention the motor is mounted upon one side of the road wheel it is desired to
drive, and is supported by one blade of the fork or other member of the vehicle
frame within which the road wheel is mounted. A friction clutch is interposed
between the motor and the road wheel, the two parts of the clutch being kept
normally in engagement with one another by means of a spring. The part of
the clutch connected to the road wheel is provided with radial arms connected
to the rim of the road wheel by springs. By this means shock is avoided when
the friction clutch is brought into operation as the springs secured to the radial
arms of the clutch and connected to the rim of the wheel first extend so that the
wheel is started gradually.
In addition to this clutch the motor may, if preferred, be arranged to slide so
that it may be moved into or out of gear with the driving member of the
friction clutch.
In place of the usual spur wheels by which the motor is geared down, the
motor shaft may be provided with a sprocket wheel connected by chain and
sprocket mechanism to the hub of the road wheel.
Any convenient clutch mechanism may be provided to throw one of the
sprocket wheels out of engagement with its shaft.
In order that the whole driving mechanism may be readily applied to an
existing form of bicycle or tricycle the road wheel and its motor, together with
the driving gear, may be secured to a fork adapted to be mounted in the usual
cycle steering head.
In applying the driving mechanisms to vehicles they may be provided with
suitable frames adapted to be readily attached to or removed from the shafts
of ordinary horse drawn vehicles; thus two motor mechanisms may be arranged
one at the side of or beneath each shaft of the vehicle and adapted to be steered
together though driving independently of each other.
In the case of a two-horse vehicle having a central pole, a driving mechanism
may be placed on each side of the pole and arranged in a similar manner to
those secured to the shafts of a one-horse vehicle.
In the accompanying drawings:-
-
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a motor mechanism constructed accord-
ing to one method of carrying out this invention,

page_text: Figure 2 is a side elevation of a modification of the apparatus shown in
Figure 1,
Figure 3 is a central vertical section of a second modification of the same,
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 3,
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a one-horse vehicle provided with two motor-
driving mechanisms, and
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a two-horse vehicle similarly provided with
two motor-driving mechanisms.
The road wheel A is mounted in any convenient manner upon ball-bearings A'
carried by a fixed axle A2. The axle A2 is secured in any well-known manner
to uprights B B' respectively, adapted for ready attachment to any convenient
part of the frame of a horse-drawn vehicle. A motor C of any well-known type.
is secured to the member B by brackets not shown in the drawings. Mounted
free on an extension of the hub A3 of the road wheel is a recessed disc 1) forming
one part of the friction clutch. Secured to the part I) are two or more radial
arms D connected at their ends by springs D2 to the rim of the road wheel A.
A cone D³ forming the second part of the friction clutch is mounted free on the
axle A³ and secured to or integral with it is a spur wheel E. The spur wheel E
gears with a pinion E' carried fast on the motor shaft E². A spring F secured to
the member B' is bifurcated at its lower end so that one arm passes on either
side of the axle A2 and bears against the wheel E. The spring F is arranged
to always tend to force the wheel E with its clutch part D³ towards the clutch
part D so that the members D D³ shall engage one another in their well-known
manner.
To prevent friction between the bifurcated end of the spring F and that part
of the wheel E against which it bears, ball-bearings are arranged between these
two parts. One race G of the ball bearings may be secured to or made integral
with the wheel E, whilst the other race G¹ may be secured to the spring For
may comprise a free ring kept in place by the tension of the spring. To pre-
vent one race from being drawn away from the other by the withdrawal of the
spring the spring may be provided with a lug F having a flanged edge or
lip F adapted to engage the race G which is secured to the wheel E.
To bring the parts D D of the clutch out from engagement with one another
a fork H is provided which engages with an annular recess E3 on the boss of
the wheel E and is pivotted to the motor casing at H¹. A lever H2 extends
from the fork H beyond the point H where it is pivotted so that by moving
this lever in the direction indicated by the arrow the wheel E with its clutch
part 13 may be moved back against the action of the spring F so that the part D³
is brought out from its engagement with the part D. Either the spur wheel E
or the pinion E of the motor is made of sufficient width to allow movement of
the wheel to take place without its becoming disengaged from the pinion.
To attach the motor driving mechanism to a bicycle it is only necessary to
provide the fork which carries the complete mechanism with a stem adapted to
enter ne ordinary bicycle steering head.
The operation of this device is obvious. The motor is started whilst the
friction clutch is out of engagement and when started the lever H2, which may
be operated by any well-know device, is released so that the spring forces the
wheel E with its clutch part. D³ towards the clutch part D. The clutch is thus
brought into action and the radial arms D¹ secured to the clutch part D will
immediately move in the same direction as the wheel E. This first movement
will cause the springs D2 to extend so that the road wheel A is gradually started,
thus obviating shock.
Figure 2 shows a motor driving mechanism provided with a friction clutch
in the same manner as the mechanism shown in Figure 1, but having in addition
to this a device by which the pinion E¹ may be brought out from its engage-
ment with the wheel E. The motor C is in this case secured to brackets J
rigidly attached to or forming part of a sliding piece J'. The part J¹ is pre-

page_text: ferably bevel edged and slides in a plate J, rigidly connected to the member B¹
of the vehicle frame. A lever K has secured to it an eccentric K¹ and is pro-
vided with a pin or axle (not shown in the drawings) which enters the member B¹
but is free to turn in the same. The eccentric K¹ lies in and engages a slot or
recess K² in the sliding member J'. The eccentric K¹ only bears against the
upper and lower sides of the slot. The eccentric is thus free to turn in the slot
without moving the member J₁ in a transverse direction, but is compelled to
raised or lower it in the grooved plate J2. To operate the lever K any con-
venient device may be connected to it by means of the rod K².
When the lever K is raised, as shown in full lines in the drawings, the
summit of the eccentric is raised, and thus the sliding member J is drawn
towards the upper end of the grooved plate J³. If now the lever K2 is depressed
as indicated by the arrow, the lever K will take up the position indicated in
dotted lines and the eccentric will be partially or entirely inverted. This move-
ment will cause the part J to slide down the part J2 carrying with it the bracket J
and the motor C so that the pinion E¹ on the motor shaft E2 will be brought
out of mesh from the wheel E.
and 4,
In the modified form of driving mechanism illustrated in Figures
the motor C is secured to the member B by brackets C and C2, and the motor
shaft E2 is passed through the hub of the road wheel A and projects beyond the
member B of the vehicle frame. The road wheel A is carried in ball-bearings A+
in the ends of the members B B and the motor shaft E2 is carried in roller
bearings EE arranged in an extension of the hub A3 of the road wheel and an
extension of the member B respectively. Upon that end of the shaft E³
remote from the motor is mounted a sprocket L geared by a chain L¹ to a
sprocket L2 fast upon a shaft L". The shaft L³ is mounted in bearings L'
secured to any convenient part of the vehicle frame preferably above the wheel A.
At that end of the shaft remote from the sprocket wheel L is a sprocket L³
geared by a chain L to a sprocket wheel L' fast upon an extension of the hub A³
of the road wheel A.
By this arrangement the motor shaft 2 is geared over the road wheel A to
the hub A3 of the road wheel. It is obvious that this chain and sprocket gear
may be variously modified; for instance both chains with their respective
sprocket wheels on one side of the wheel instead of one on each side as described,
and the chains may be arranged to lie in a horizontal instead of a vertical
position if preferred.
Any convenient form of clutch may be used in connection with this apparatus,
so that one of the sprocket wheels may be thrown out of engagement with its
shaft or other part to which it is secured, thus enabling the motor to be started
without directly driving the road wheel.
The carburettor may be arranged above the road wheel and secured to the
fork carrying the road wheel by any convenient means. Carburettors so arranged
are shown in Figure 6.
Figure 5 illustrates the method of attaching two motor-driving mechanisms
to the shafts of a "sulky." Each motor-driving mechanism is mounted between
members resembling the blades of a cycle fork and are free to turn in sockets N.
The sockets N are braced together by transverse members N¹. The upper end
of each of the sockets is secured to one of the shafts of the vehicle by a split
lug N clamped upon the shaft by a bolt №3. The lower end of each socket
carries a bracket by which it is braced to the vehicle shaft at No. The
bracket N may be secured to the shaft at No by a strap No or by any other con-
venient device which may be readily attached to or detached from the shaft.
The stems of each pair of members B B are carried up from the sockets N above
which each is provided with a horizontal steering lever O. The steering levers (
are connected together by a tie O' pivotted to any convenient part of the levers O
so that the motor mechanisms will be steered together. Each lever 0 is pro-
vided with a steering handle 03 one of which is held in each hand of the driver.

page_text: Levers P may be arranged in close proximity to the steering handles () and
connected by any convenient lever mechanism to the valve for admitting air to
the carburettor or carburetted air to the motor for the purpose of regulating
the speed of the latter in the well-known manner. The particular construction
of motor mechanism shown in this figure forms no part of the present invention,
but it will be understood that any of the motor mechanisms shown in Figures 1
to 4 may be similarly adapted for attachment to the shaft of the vehicle.
Figure 6 illustrates a two-horse vehicle having a central pole Q on either
side of which is arranged a motor-driving mechanism. The motor mechanisms
are carried by forks arranged similarly to those described with reference to
Figure 5, the stems of the forks being free to turn in steering sockets R. The
upper ends
of the steering sockets R are braced together by a
strut R and the lower ends of the same are connected to a ferrule
or socket R2 by forward struts R. The ferrule or socket Ra is of such dimen-
sions that the pole Q may be readily passed through it. To secure the motor
mechanisms to the pole they are provided with struts R connected to the rear
side of the lower ends of the sockets R and to a split lug R. The split lug R
is adapted to be passed over the pole Q and clamped upon the same by means of
bolts R. The stems of the forks which carry the motor mechanism project
beyond the sockets R, within which they are free to revolve, and are provided
with levers S connected by a rod S¹ so that the two wheels may be steered
simultaneously. To operate the steering one of the stems carries a lever S² con-
nected by a link S to a second lever S* fast upon a steering rod $5. The steering
rod S is carried by and free to turn in a socket S secured to or integral with
the split lug R³.
It will be observed that this method of securing the motor-driving mechanisms
to the pole of the vehicle renders the whole apparatus readily detachable as it
is only necessary to release the bolts R to remove the whole of the apparatus
from the vehicle. The bolts Re being released allow the split lug R5 to spring
open. The lug R and ferrule or socket R2 may then be drawn off the pole
bringing with them the whole of the framework by which the steering sockets R
are connected, together with the whole of the steering mechanism.
.
Levers may be arranged upon the steering rod $5 in close proximity to the
handle by which it is operated, for the control of the motors.
To further strengthen the connection between the motor driving mechanisms
and the vehicle to which they are attached longitudinal members or ties such
as T may be arranged to connect the base of the steering tube of each mechanism
to the axle or any other convenient part of the vehicle frame which turns with
the front road wheels. These ties may conveniently be constructed of tubing
flattened out at those ends by which they are secured to the axle of the vehicle.
The flattened ends may be secured to the axle by means of bolts in any well-
known manner. These longitudinal members T, as well as the other parts of the
frame by which the motor driving mechanisms are secured to the vehicle, may
be attached to the same if preferred by means of straps in place of bolts or
clamps.
Any of the driving mechanisms described above may be provided with fly
wheels if desired and in the case of the chain driving mechanism described with
reference to Figures and 4 such fly wheel may be placed at that end of the
motor shaft which projects through the hub of the road wheel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a motor driving mechanism the employment of a motor carried at one
side of the road wheel and driving the same from a fixed point eccentric with
the road wheel with or without the interposition of a clutch substantially as
described.

page_text: 2. In a motor-driving mechanism for road vehicles the combination with a
motor carried at one side or a road wheel of a clutch, one member of which is
secured to the driving gear of the motor and the other attached to the road wheel
with or without a resilient attachment substantially as described.
3. In a motor-driving mechanism for road vehicles the combination with, a
friction clutch interposed between the driving gear of the motor and the road
wheel of springs such as D2 connecting one part of the friction clutch to the road
wheel substantially as described.
4. In a motor-driving mechanism for road vehicles of the kind described in
claims 1 and 2 the combination with the friction clutch of a spring such as F
with or without ball bearings G G and retaining flange F1 F2 substantially as
described.
5. In a motor-driving mechanism for road vehicles the combination with a
motor carried by and at the side of the road wheel of a frame adapted to be readily
secured to the shafts or other portion of the vehicle, such framing being further
supported by ties or stays detachably connected to the axle of the steering wheels
of the vehicle.
6. In a motor-driving mechanism for road vehicles the combination with a
motor carried by a bracket at the side of the road wheel and free to move rela-
tively to the framing of the vehicle of a friction clutch interposed between the
driving gear of the motor and the road wheel with or without a spring connection
between the said friction clutch and road wheel substantially as described.
7. In a motor-driving mechanism for road vehicles the employment of a motor
carried at the side of the road wheel and free to move relatively to the frame of
the vehicle so that its pinion may be brought into or out of mesh with the gear
of the road wheel substantially as described.
8. In a motor-driving mechanism for road vehicles the combination with a
motor carried at the side of the road wheel and free to slide upon the frame of
the vehicle so as to be brought into or out of mesh with the gear of the road wheel,
of spring connections such as 12 whereby the said gear is secured to the road
wheel substantially as described.
9. In a
motor-driving mechanism for road vehicles the combination with a
motor carried at one side of the road wheel of a bracket such as J K free to slide
upon the frame of the vehicle and having a slot such as K2 engaging an eccentric K¹
substantially as described.
10. In a motor-driving mechanism for road vehicles the combination with a
motor carried at one side of the road wheel and having its shaft passed through
the hub of the same of a chain and sprocket gearing interposed between the motor
shaft and hub of the road wheel substantially as described.
11. The combination with two complete motor-driving mechanisms carried by
steering members braced together of lugs such as N2 and brackets N whereby
the motor-driving mechanisms may be detachably secured to the shafts of a one
horse vehicle substantially as described.
12. The combination with a one horse vehicle of two complete motor mechanisms
carried by steering members braced together and detachably secured to the shafts
of the vehicle of two steering levers 002 whereby both mechanisms may be
simultaneously steered though. running independently of each other substan-
tially as described.
13. The combination with two complete motor-driving mechanisms carried by
members braced together and provided with devices whereby they may be
readily attached, to the pole of a two horse vehicle.
Dated this 18th day of January 1900.
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.