IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MODE OF PROPULSION OF LOCOMOTIVE CARRIAGES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John William Daniell, of 54, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION AND MODE OF PROPULSION OF LOCOMOTIVE CARRIAGES, AND
IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH."
Sealed the 2nd April 1867, and dated the 4th October 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John William Daniell at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
4th October 1866.
I, JOHN WILLIAM DANIELL, of 54, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, do bereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MODE OF PROPULSION OF LOCOMOTIVE CARRIAGES,
AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in certain improvements whereby the use of rails
for locomotive carriages is either wholly or in part dispensed with, and many
of the disadvantages and evils attendant upon the present mode of constructing
railways and the rolling stock employed thereon are avoided. The locomotive
carriage and also the carriages used for the conveyance of passengers and
goods are constructed without wheels, their transit being effected by sliding or
passing over and upon the peripheries of a series of wheels, sheaves, or pulleys

page_text: attached to frames placed at suitable distances apart from each other, and
extending throughout the entire length of the line of road.
The mode of propelling the locomotive carriage is as follows:-A series of
two or more wheels or pulleys is arranged in connection with and mounted
in suitable bearings attached to the locomotive, an endless chain or belt being
passed over such wheels or pulleys, to one or more of which a rotary motion
is given by means of suitable gearing actuated by the steam engine or other
source of motive power with which the locomotive is provided. One or more
of the last-mentioned wheels or pulleys is or are furnished with cogs or teeth
projecting from the periphery or peripheries thereof, and which cogs or teeth
take into the links of the chain. To the endless chain are attached rods or
levers, which upon the former being caused to travel over the wheels or
pulleys catch in succession against stops or sockets fixed at the requisite
distances in the roadway, and the traversing motion of the endless chain being
resisted by the rods or levers, the locomotive is impelled forward by the latter
until they have reached the extent of the chain, when the progress thereof
raises the rods or levers, which are carried up and then onward until they
have reached the opposite end, when they in turn descend and again by
pressing against the stops or sockets in the roadway impel the locomotive
forward. The length of the endless chain should be some multiple of the
distance from centre to centre of the stops or sockets fixed in the line or
roadway. The rods or levers are by preference constructed of a tubular form,
either of iron or steel, with a steel shoe at one extremity for the purpose of
taking into the stops or sockets, and with an eye at the other end by which
it is attached to the endless chain. The bearings in which the wheels or
pulleys carrying the endless chain are mounted are so placed that the rods
or levers shall operate in a line equidistant from either side of the locomotive.
The mode of propulsion before described may also be used in combination
with locomotive engines with wheels as ordinarily constructed. As before
mentioned the locomotive and carriages traverse the line by sliding or passing
over friction wheels, sheaves, or pulleys mounted in suitable frames fixed in
the roadway, such friction wheels, sheaves, or pulleys being free to move
upon their axes. At those parts of the line at which there are curves, and
at those points at which the power of deviating from the line is desired, friction
wheels, sheaves, or pulleys of unequal diameter are employed, the difference
in diameter being proportioned to the radius of the curve, and the largest
friction wheel, sheave, or pulley being placed on the outer circumference of
the curve. Those portions of the framework of the carriages which slide or
pass over the friction wheels, sheaves, or pulleys are furnished with steel or

page_text: iron plates extending the entire length of each carriage, and which plates
take the friction of the wheels, sheaves, or pulleys, additional steel or iron
plates being securely fixed to the sides of each carriage and projecting
downwards in order to prevent its running off the friction wheels, sheaves; or
pulleys. Attached to each friction wheel, sheave, or pulley frame on the side
thereof which is nearest to the centre of the roadway, or to as many of such
frames as the particular circumstances of the case may require, is an iron rod,
bar, or plate, which serves the double purpose of a guide, against which the
travelling "pointers" herein-after mentioned act, and to take the pressure of
the break as also herein-after mentioned. Beneath the locomotive are placed
guide plates, the same being connected together by rods or plates attached to
the under side of the carriage frame. The said guide plates have a motion in
the direction of the length of the carriage, such motion being produced by a
rack-and-pinion movement (and actuated by the driver of the locomotive by
means of any of the known contrivances adapted for the purpose), so that the
guide plates may be drawn backwards and forwards into position so as to direct
the propelling rods or levers before mentioned into their position against the
fixed stops or sockets in the line. Whilst the guide plate at the fore end of
the locomotive is placed in position for such last-mentioned purpose, the same
action removes the guide plate at the hinder end out of the way of the
returning rod or lever, thereby allowing the rod or lever to be carried up by the
revolving chain after it has travelled the length of the locomotive. "Pointers"
or guides, consisting of bars or plates of iron, are fixed to the lower ends of
vertical axes or shafts, such shafts being turned into the required position by
means of wheels and suitable gearing by the driver of the locomotive, so that
the "pointers" or guides may bear against the before-mentioned iron rods,
bars, or plates which are fixed to the wheel, sheave, or pulley frames, or be
clear of them, as may be necessary for the guidance of the locomotive.
The break arrangement consists of two bars or plates of iron, the same being
respectively placed under the carriage on either side, and extending longitudinally
the whole length thereof. By means of levers and cranks or other analogous
arrangements well known to mechanics a pressure can be exerted in the
direction of the length of the carriage, or from the centre thereof towards
either side, thus causing each bar or plate to bear strongly against upright
rods, bars, or plates which are attached to the inner side or the side nearest
the centre of the roadway of the friction wheel frames. The rods, bars, or
plates so attached to the friction wheel frames serve also to direct or take
the pressure of the "pointers" before mentioned.

page_text: This Invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the
accompanying Drawings.
Figure 1 is a plan of the carriage to which the driving apparatus is attached."
A, A, is the endless chain or band passing over the wheels or pulleys working
in bearings attached to the carriage, a, a, being the movcable rods or levers
before mentioned; B, B, are the longitudinal plates extending the length of
the carriage, and acted upon by the crank levers b, b, which are actuated by
the screws c, c, for the purpose of exerting pressure against the perpendicular
bars attached to the roller or sheave frames in the roadway. The crank levers
are actuated by the screws c, c, and the plates thereby drawn towards each
other or pressed against the perpendicular bars.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal view of the driving apparatus. A, A, is the
endless chain or band passing over the wheels or pulleys B, B, B. The
moveable rods or levers are shewn at a, a, a; C, C, C, are the wheels, sheaves,
or pulleys in the roadway over which the train passes; D, D, is the longitudinal
plate.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the roadway with the wheels, sheaves, or pulleys
and their bearings shewn at A, A, A, and B, B, B, the latter Figures being
shewn of larger size, as they would be if constructed of wood instead of iron;
C, C, C, are the sockets for the reception of the moveable rods or levers.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John William Daniell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th April 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN'
WILLIAM DANIELL, of 54, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight bundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John William Daniell, Her special licence that I, the said John William
Daniell, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said John William Daniell, my executors, administrators, and 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

page_text: Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MODE OF PROPULSION OF LOCOMOTIVE CARRIAGES,
AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said John William Daniell, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
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 John William Daniell, 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
figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention consists in certain improvements whereby the use of
rails for locomotive carriages is either wholly or in part dispensed with, and
many of the disadvantages and evils attendant upon the present mode of con-
structing and working railways and the rolling stock employed thereon are
avoided. The locomotive carriages, and also the carriages used for the con-
veyance of passengers and goods, are constructed without wheels, their transit
being effected by sliding or passing over and upon the peripheries of a series
of wheels, sheaves, or pulleys attached to frames placed at suitable distances
apart from each other, and extending throughout the entire length of the line
of road on each side thereof.
The mode of propelling the carriages is as follows:-A series of two or
more wheels or pulleys is arranged in connection with and mounted in suitable
bearings attached to the locomotive, an endless chain or belt being passed
over such wheels or pulleys, to one or more of which a rotary motion is given
by means of suitable gearing actuated by the motive power with which the
locomotive is provided, and which may be derived from a steam engine or
from any other apparatus applicable to the purpose. One or more of the
last-mentioned wheels or pulleys is or are furnished with cogs or teeth pro-
jecting from the periphery or peripheries thereof, and which cogs or teeth
take into the links of the chain. To the endless chain are attached rods or
levers, which upon the former being caused to travel over the wheels or
pulleys.catch in succession against stops fixed at the requisite distances in the
roadway, and as the rods or levers attached to the chain are carried round
therewith their progress is assisted by the said stops, and thus the locomotive

page_text: is impelled forward by the rods and chain until the extent of the chain has
been reached, when the progress thereof raises the rods or levers, which are
then carried up and onward until they have reached the opposite end, when
they in turn descend, and again, by pressing against the stops in the roadway,
impel the locomotive forward, other rods or levers having in the interim taken
their place, and thus caused a continuous progress to be sustained. The
length of the endless chain should be some multiple of the distance from centre
to centre of the stops fixed in the line or roadway. The rods or levers are by
preference constructed of a tubular form, either of iron or steel, and should
be respectively made with a steel shoe at one extremity thereof for the purpose
of acting against the stops, and with an eye at the other end for the purpose
of being attached to the endless chain. The bearings in which the wheels or
pulleys carrying the endless chain are mounted are so placed that the rods or
levers shall operate in a line equidistant from either side of the locomotive, or
nearly so.
Instead of employing the single chain or belt for the purposes of propulsion,
as before described, the locomotive may be propelled by using two chains with
corresponding sets of wheels, with cross bars extending between and attached
to each chain at suitable distances from each other, the rods or levers, as
before described, being attached to as many of the said bars as there are rods
or levers employed; or instead of rods or levers being used, the propulsion of
the carriage may be effected by the bars acting against blocks or uprights
placed at corresponding distances in the roadway. The employment of two
chains with cross bars would have the effect of imparting great steadiness to
the motion of the carriage.
Another modification of the same principle may be employed, the same
consisting in using a single chain with bars passing through it at suitable
distances, each bar forming a right angle at each side of the chain and acting
against uprights fixed in the roadway, such uprights being furnished with a
groove in the upper part thereof, or otherwise constructed or arranged so as
to allow the chain to pass.
As before mentioned, the locomotive and carriages traverse the line by
sliding or passing over friction wheels, sheaves, or pulleys mounted in suitable
frames fixed in the roadway, such friction wheels, sheaves, or pulleys being
free to move upon their axes, although the modes of propulsion before
described may also be used in combination with locomotive engines with
wheels attached thereto as ordinarily constructed. At those parts of the line
at which there are curves, and at those points at which the power of deviating
from the line is desired, friction wheels, sheaves, or pulleys of unequal

page_text: diameter may be employed, the difference in diameter being proportioned to
the radius of the curve, and the largest friction wheels, sheaves, or pulleys
being placed on the outer circumference of the curve. Those portions of the
framework of the carriages which slide or pass over the friction wheels, sheaves,
or pulleys are furnished with steel or iron plates extending the entire length
of each carriage, and which plates take the friction of the wheels, sheaves, or
pulleys, additional steel or iron plates or flanges being securely fixed to the
sides of each carriage and projecting downwards in order to prevent its running
off the friction wheels, sheaves, or pulleys. For the purpose of ensuring the
guidance of the carriage on the friction wheels, sheaves, or pulleys, and of
commencing their revolution before the weight of the carriage comes upon
them, pilot bars or projecting bars may be placed in front of each loco-
motive carriage, such bars being connected thereto by hinges, and having
flanges attached corresponding with the steel or iron plates and flanges
beneath the frame of the locomotive, as before described. The pilot bars
act upon the friction wheels, sheaves, or pulleys at some distance from
the carriage, thus guiding the carriage on to them, and commencing their
revolution before they receive the weight of the locomotive, thus pre-
venting any shock to the locomotive which might result from a sudden
impulse being given to the wheels, sheaves, or pulleys by the contact
of the locomotive therewith when they are in a state of rest.
each friction wheel, sheave, or pulley frame, and on the side thereof which is
nearest to the centre of the roadway, or to as many of such frames as the
particular circumstances of the case may require, is a rod, bar, or plate of
iron or wood, or partly iron and partly wood, or of other suitable material,
which serves the double purpose of a guide against which the travelling
"pointers" berein-after mentioned act, and to take the pressure of the break
as also herein-after mentioned. Beneath the locomotive, and near the middle
of the width thereof for the propelling rods or levers, are placed guide plates,
the same being connected together by rods or plates attached to the under side
of the carriage frame. The said guide plates have a motion in the direction
of the length of the carriage, such motion being produced by a rack-and-
pinion movement (which may be actuated by the driver of the locomotive by
means of any of the known contrivances adapted for that purpose), so that the
guide plates may be drawn backwards and forwards into position to direct the
propelling rods or levers before mentioned into their position against the fixed
stops in the roadway. Whilst the guide plate at the fore end of the locomotive
is placed in position for such last-mentioned purpose, the same action removes
the guide plate at the hinder end out of the way of the returning rod or lever,
Attached to

page_text: thereby allowing the rod or lever to be carried up by the revolving chain after
it has travelled the length of the locomotive, such alteration of the guide plates
being necessary whenever the motion of the locomotive is changed into a
'contrary direction.
For the purpose of guiding the locomotive "pointers" or guides consisting
of bars or plates of iron are fixed to the lower ends of vertical axes or shafts,
such shafts being turned into and placed in the required position by means of
wheels or levers and gearing (such as will be well understood by persons
acquainted with mechanical contrivances) by the driver of the locomotive, so
that the "pointers" may bear against the before-mentioned rods, bars, or
plates which are fixed to the wheel, sheave, or pulley frames, or be clear of
them as may be necessary, and by the exertion of such pressure pushing
the locomotive towards the wheel, sheave, or pulley frame opposite to that
which is pressed against by the "pointers," sufficient play being allowed between
the flanges on each side for that purpose.
The "break" arrangement which I employ consists of two bars or plates of
iron, the same being respectively placed under the carriage on either side, and
extending longitudinally. By means of levers and cranks or screws or other
analogous arrangements well known to and understood by mechanics a pressure
is exerted, when desired, from the centre of the carriage towards either side,
thus causing each bar or plate to bear strongly against the upright rods, bars,
or plates which are attached to the inner side or the side nearest to the centre
of the roadway of the friction wheel frames, by which the weight of the carriage
is at the moment sustained, and which rods, bars, or plates serve also to direct
or take the pressure of the "pointers," as before mentioned. In the case of
the employment of a double chain being used, as before described, the bars or
plates forming the "break" may be caused by means similar to those before
mentioned to press against the upright stops or blocks fixed in the centre of
the roadway.
By the adoption of my said Invention many advantages will be gained, one
of the most important of which is that all those inconveniences and dangers
which arise from locomotives and carriages running off the rails are entirely
avoided, an additional feature of great value being that by means of the break
arrangements herein-before mentioned the most perfect controul can be
exercised over the velocity of transit.
It should also be observed that by the system of propulsion embraced in this
Invention the loss of power consequent upon the non-adhesion of the driving
wheels upon the rails, incident to locomotives as commonly constructed, is
avoided.

page_text: I will now proceed to refer to the accompanying Drawings, by means of
which the nature of my said Invention will be more clearly understood.
In Sheet 1, Figure 1 is a plan view of the roadway, the wheels, sheaves, or
pulleys, with their frames, being shewn at A, and the stops against which the
rods or levers act at B. Figure 2 is a side elevation of the locomotive and
the friction wheels, sheaves, or pulleys, which latter are shewn at A, A, A,
mounted in their frames a, a, a; B is the side of the locomotive; C, C, the
chain which passes over the wheels D, D, D, the rods or levers being shown
at E, E; F, F, are the "pointers." Figure 3 shews the arrangements last
referred to more clearly. A, A, A, are the friction wheels, sheaves, or pulleys
mounted in their frames or bearings a, a, a; C, C, the chain passing over the
wheels D, D, D, additional antifriction wheels being shewn at d, d; E, E, E,
are the rods or levers; F, F, are the "pointers ;" G, G, the chain or wire by
which the break plate is actuated by means of the wheel g, and the gearing in
connection therewith. The mechanism for actuating the "guide plate" is
shewn at II, and the driving shaft at I.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the
Figure 3 is an end view of the
In Sheet 2, Figure 1 is a plan view of the locomotive with the chain shewn
at C, C, passing over the wheels, the axes of which are shewn at D, D, D, D, D;
F, F, are the "pointers ;" G, G, G, G, the break plates, actuated by the
screw g; is the rack-and-pinion mechanism for operating the "guide
plate" h. The driving shaft is shewn at I.
double chain arrangement before described.
break gear and pointers. Figure 4 is a sectional view of the arrangements
for shifting the guide plates for the rods or levers. Figure 5 is a plan of the
break, A, A, being the break plates, which bear against the friction wheel,
sheave, or pulley frames; a, a, are the chains or wires connecting the cross
bars b, b, which are acted upon by the screw and cranks as before described.
Figure 6 is a plan of a guide plate with the rack and pinion by which the
same is actuated. Figure 7 shews the rack and pinion for actuating the
"pointers."
Having thus declared the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which it is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion that I do not
claim the several and distinct parts of the mechanism and arrangements herein-
before mentioned separate and apart from each other, neither do I confine or
restrict myself to the precise details herein-before mentioned, as variations
may be made therein without departing from the main principles or features
of my
said Invention; but what I consider novel and original, and therefore
claim as constituting the Invention secured to me by the said herein-before in
part recited Letters Patent is, the general combination and arrangement of

page_text: parts and mechanism for effecting the purposes aforesaid as substantially
herein-before described and set forth, or any mere modifications thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said John William Daniell, bave hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Third day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Witness,
E. P. II. VAUGHAN,
54, Chancery Lane,
Agent for the Patentee.
J. W. DANIELL. (L.S.)