Improvements in Apparatus for Propelling and Controlling Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Propelling and Controlling Vehicles.
I, CHARLES ANDREW EMBLETON, of 24, Gloucester Street, Middlesbrough, in
the County of York, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the arrangement of gearing, by means of which the
axle or driving shaft of a vehicle is propelled in either direction, with the pro-
vision of suitable mechanism for the turning of the vehicle, partially or wholly
round, together with the application of suitable motors, for actuating the
apparatus.
In the effecting of this purpose I make use of a motor which produces a
reciprocating motion, which may be fitted with crank and fly wheel, if desired.
And which may be actuated by steam, gas, oil vapour, or any suitable agent.
The motor is coupled to one end of a "rocking lever," this lever being carried
on a "fulcrum pin.
A second "fulcrum pin" carries a driving lever, which
works in the same plane with the rocking lever. Three eyes are formed in the
driving lever, one for fulcrum, one at its other extremity, and one intermediate
eye, which is coupled by a connecting link" to a stud which slides on the
rocking lever, this "sliding stud is connected to one end of a "lifting link,"
which supports it, and keeps it in position. The other end of the lifting link
being coupled to a lever which is keyed on a weigh-bar-shaft. This weigh shaft
being connected to a hand working lever. The operator in moving the hand
lever, gives an angular motion to the weigh shaft, which raises or lowers the
sliding stud by means of the lifting link. The sliding stud when at its neutral
position, is central with the fulcrum pin, when the movement given to it by the
rocking lever is merely an angular rocking motion, during which, the con-
necting link and driving lever remain at rest.
also at this time at its "neutral," or
The hand working lever being
out of gear" position in the quadrant. As
the hand lever is moved it slides the stud from its neutral position on the fulcrum,
when it partakes of the reciprocating motion of the rocking lever, and transmits
this motion through the connecting link to the driving lever, thus giving the
driving lever a variable length of stroke, which is controlled by the hand lever,
being zero when at its neutral position, and its maximum when the sliding stud
is at its farthest point from the fulcrum. A "ratchet wheel
on the axle shaft, to this is applied two pawls. The first pawl acting on the top
is securely keyed
part of the circumference of the ratchet wheel, has a hooked" end for moving
the wheel when pulling," and the other pawl acting on the bottom part of the
circumference, has a pointed end, for moving the wheel when "
Each of these pawls is carried by a pair of "guide levers," which have eyes
pushing."
at one end which fit and work loose on the axle shaft, an eye, being formed at
the other end of each lever, to fit and couple with the pawls. Four coupling
links each having one of their ends coupled to the eye in the extremity of the
driving lever, (two on each side of it) are carried in pairs and coupled with two
(6
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page_text: of it.
nose"
cr
pins, to the pawls and their guide levers. Each pawl being centrally placed
over the ratchet wheel and having a coupling link and guide lever on each side
A spring for keeping the pawl to work is connected from the "
point of each, and its other end attached to the middle part of the guide levers.
Thus as the driving lever moves, (actuated by the motor through the rocking
lever) the top pawl carrying the ratchet wheel with it when "pulling," and
the bottom pawl carrying the wheel with it when "pushing" we get a continuous
circular motion of the axle shaft, and this motion is controlled in extent (or
speed) by the hand lever. Thus the hand lever may be gently moved from its
neutral position till the pawls gear with one tooth on either side-next, two
teeth and so on, till the movement of each pawl embraces fully one third of
the circumference, i.e., equal to two thirds, per revolution of the motor, and this
is readily proportioned to give any speed, from one to twenty miles per hour of
the vehicle, or a greater maximum speed if required. If friction ratchet gear
be applied, any intermediate speed may be had. If a toothed gear, a range of
intermediate speeds, which will vary as the pitch of teeth on the ratchet wheels.
In case of "danger" or if it be desired to stop the vehicle, this is done at any
moment by simply moving the hand lever to its neutral position.
A motion in the opposite direction is got by simply setting the pawls to act
"in direction" opposite to those above described.
For the turning of a vehicle about corners, or completely round, I make use
of two metal friction clutches (or toothed clutches if desired,) one of which is
fitted to the driving wheel at each end of the axle shaft. One shell being fixed
to each wheel, and its driver attached to the axle shaft. These drivers are held
in gear with the shells by means of a volute or other spring being attached, and
A fork lever
exerting pressure to keep the clutch in gear with the axle shaft.
is fitted to each clutch, each of these levers having a connection for working
it placed on the transverse contre line of the bogie, but attached to the vehicle
frame. A camb, fixed to the bogie, is made to come in contact (as the bogie
turns) with the connection to the fork lever which is on the near side to the
angular point" of turning, and the camb, depressing the lever disengages
the clutch, and allows this wheel to remain stationary, or partake of such motion
as may be induced by the outer wheel of the vehicle, which is still in gear, and
is making the larger circular path, in the turning of a corner, or the turning of
the vehicle completely round.
60
D L 1
AL
P D
1007
Improvements in Apparatus for Propelling and Controlling Vehicles.
I, CHARLES ANDREW EMBLETON, of 24, Gloucester Street, Middlesbrough, in
the County of York, Mechanical Draughtsman, 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:-
66
My invention relates to the arrangement of "links" and ratchet" gearing
(toothed or frictional), by means of which, the "axle" or driving shaft of a
vehicle may be rotated in either direction, also an arrangement of mechanism,
by means of which the wheels of a vehicle may be rendered free to turn it
partially, or wholly round. Together with the application of suitable motors
for actuating the apparatus.

page_text: In the effecting of this purpose, I make use of a suitable motor, which may
be actuated by means of steam, gas, oil vapour, electricity or other agency.
From this motor, a reciprocating motion is obtained by any suitable means, as,
a crank and link, or attaching to the crosshead pin, or other part of the motor
which has the reciprocating motion required.
Driving Gear. A rocking lever, with its fulcrum pin, and carriage bracket,
is fixed in position on the motor or vehicle framework, one end of said rocking
lever being coupled to one end of the motor crosshead pin. A stud having Vee
grooves, is fitted to, and slides on the rocking lever, this stud being in its
initial position when the centre of the stud is coincident with the centre line
of the rocking lever fulcrum pin. This stud is moved from its initial position
and supported in any other position as it slides on the rocking lever by a lifting
link, one end of this lifting link being coupled on the sliding stud, its other
end being coupled to, and carried by a lifting lever which is keyed on the weigh
bar shaft. A second lever is keyed on the weigh shaft which is connected with
the hand working lever, this latter being arranged in position convenient for
being operated by the driver of the vehicle. This same hand lever also controls
the brake gear, being connected with the brake levers and shaft, and acting
on the brake gear as it leaves the sliding stud at its initial position on the rock-
ing lever. On the sliding stud, together with the lifting link I also couple one
end of a connecting link which has its other end coupled to the middle part of
a pendulum lever, this pendulum lever being hung at one end on a fulcrum
bearing, this bearing being fixed in a cast iron carriage bracket, which
be one and the same casting with the rocking lever, carriage bracket. At the
other end of the pendulum an eye is formed, to which is coupled four (two pairs)
of driving links, the opposite ends of each pair of these driving links being
connected to a ratchet wheel which is keyed on the axle shaft. Four pawl guide
levers (two pairs) one pair being placed on each side of the ratchet wheel, have
an eye in one end of each lever, which allows these guide levers to work loose
on the axle shaft, being kept in juxta-position to the ratchet wheel by means
of metal collars which are pinned on the axle shaft. An eye is also formed at
the opposite end of each guide lever, by means of which, one pair carry a
pointed" pawl betwixt them, and are connected up with a pin to one pair of
the driving levers (one at each side), the two driving links being outside, two
pawl levers mid-way and the pawl central, this pawl working into one side of
the ratchet wheel. The second pair of driving links are connected up in like
manner with two pawl guide levers and carry a
"
hooked pawl centrally which
works into the same ratchet wheel as the pointed pawl, but on the opposite side
of it from that with which the pointed pawl is geared.
"
"
The pawls may be kept down to their work with springs.
may
Turning Gear. For the turning of the vehicle about corners, or completely
round, I make use of two metal friction or claw clutches, the clutch boxes of
which may be cast on the brake sheaves, the trunnion journals being also cast
on the clutch box and brake sheave castings. On the outer end of each trun-
nion the vehicle driving wheels are keyed. Each of these trunnion sleeves, with
their respective wheels, work loose on the axle shaft, and are kept in position
laterally by means of turned metal collars which are attached to the axle shaft,
Two metal clutch drivers which slide on keys let into the axle shaft, are kept
in gear with the clutch boxes by means of volute springs, each driver is fitted
with a loose collar in which it may rotate, these collars being fitted
with pins by means of which they are each connected with a
fork lever, these fork levers work in bearing carriages and the ends
opposite to the axle shaft are each fitted with a cylindrical metal roller carried
in a double eye formed on the end of the fork lever, and secured with a pin.
These rollers are arranged in position one on each side of a camb which is attached
centrally with the bogie, and moves with it. The bogie is controlled by means
of chain wheels and a chain coupled with the sleeve shaft on which the steering

page_text: асуси, он напи wheel is arranged in position convenient for the driver
of the vehicle.
Referring to the accompanying drawings
"
Sheet 1. Arrangement and details of driving gear. Sheet 2. Turning gear and
apparatus generally. All members are of metal, which may be cast iron,
wrt. iron, steel, or brass. A, forward driving gear. B, backward driving gear.
C, motor crosshead pin. D, rocking levers. E, sliding studs. F, fulcrum of
rocking lever. G, connecting links. H, lifting links. I, lifting levers,
J; weigh bar shaft. K, hand driving and brake levers. L, ratchet wheels.
M, motor. N, pointed pawls. 0, hooked pawls. P, pendulum levers. Q, axle
shaft. R, pawl guide levers. S, driving links. T, fulcrum carriages. U, weigh
bar carriages. V, pendulum fulcrum. W, driving and brake rods. X, brake
levers. Y, brake shaft. p, valve camb spindles. o, regulator valve hand lever.
n, regulator valves. m, motor crank shaft. 1, valve gear chain. i, hand wheel
for starting motor. h, steering handwheel. g, steering chain. f, clutch camb.
e, clutch lever carriages. d, clutch fork levers.
drivers. a, brake sheave, clutch box, and axle trunnion.
c, clutch springs. b, clutch
The handwheel i, and the motor starting gear are required only when an internal
combustion motor is used.
Having thus described the principal details required to construct the apparatus,
I will now proceed to show their action in the starting, running, and turning
of the vehicle.
The motor may be started, and continue running without inducing any motion
of the vehicle so long as the hand working lever and sliding stud are allowed
to remain in their initial (or neutral) position, the stud in this position simply
rocking on the fulcrum centre, and giving no motion to the connecting link
and pendulum. Suppose it is now required to slowly start the vehicle, the
hand working lever is moved in direction gradually till the angular movement
of the weigh-bar-shaft and lifting lever have raised the sliding stud by means
of the lifting link, so that the motion given to the connecting link by the rocking
lever is sufficient to move the pendulum lever and system of driving links, guide
levers and pawls to gear in one tooth of the ratchet wheel. Then as the pendulum
vibrates, the driving links move with a reciprocating motion bringing the pointed
pawl into action in the ratchet, in the one direction, and the hooked pawl in the
opposite direction, thus giving a continuous circular motion to the ratchet wheel,
axle shaft and vehicle wheels. Now if the vehicle driving wheels are "say"
four feet diameter, this motion of four yards travel per revolution, may be
readily proportioned in the gear to give a speed of ""say" one mile per hour,
or there-about as required. Still moving the working handle, the sliding stud
may be raised so as to give the maximum movement, which is fully two thirds
of a revolution of the ratchet wheel and vehicle driving wheel, per revolution of
the motor, and this movement may be readily proportioned in the gear to
give the vehicle a speed of 15 to 25 miles per hour, more or less, as required.
Any intermediate position of the hand lever gives an intermediate speed to the
vehicle, the alteration being made instantly, or if stoppage be required, the hand
lever at one move, brings the sliding stud to its initial position and stops all
motion from the motor. Also at the same instant effectually stopping the wheels
with the powerful brake, with which the hand lever is connected. Thus all
motion may be instantly arrested, from its greatest speed, when circumstances
require this course of action.
It should be noted, that since the full power of the motor may be utilized
with this gear, even when running at the slowest speeds. Thus giving every
facility for working on very stiff inclines with ease and safety. Also in de-
cending, all effort of the motor may be cut off, leaving the hand lever in
connection with, and controlling a powerful brake.
Steering and Turning the Vehicle. The handwheel for steering the vehicle
as shown on drawing Sheet 2, is fixed near the seat for the operator, in position

page_text: for being conveniently controlled with the right hand. A movement of this
handwheel is communicated to the bogie, by means of chain wheels as shown
(Sheet 2). The camb being rigidly attached to the chain wheel on the bogie,
moves simultaneously with it. Sufficient clearance is left about the rollers
which are pinned on the clutch fork levers, to allow the steering wheel to be
manipulated so that the vehicle may be kept running approximately straight,
but if it be required to turn the vehicle on any appreciable curve, or com-
pletely round, the steering wheel being moved in direction required, turns the
bogie, by means of the chain wheel gear, and the camb coming into action with
the roller on the fork lever, which is on the near side to the angular point of
turning, the camb depressing the lever disengages the clutch, and allows the
wheel on that side of the vehicle to remain stationary, or to partake of such
motion as is induced by the outer wheel, which is still geared, and is making
the larger circular path, in the turning of the corner, or the turning of the vehicle
completely round.
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;-
1st. A system of levers, links, shafts, pins and ratchet wheels, (toothed or
frictional), arranged with pawls in such manner so as to give a continuous rotary
motion to the axle shaft of a vehicle. And such that the simple movement of
a hand lever or equivalent appliance, is capable of varying the speed of rotation
from its maximum capacity to zero, and at this point stopping all motion of
the vehicle wheels, by gripping the same with a suitable brake, all being effected
with the same hand lever, substantially as described in this specification, with
reference to the accompanying drawings Sheets 1 and 2.
2nd. A system of clutches, springs, fevers and camb or cambs, for facilitating
the turning of vehicles about curves or wholly round, which work automatically
with the steering gear. Such, that when the vehicle is running in an approxi-
mately straight course, the driving wheels are kept in gear with the axle shaft
by the action of these springs and clutches, but on turning the vehicle, by means
of the steering gear, the clutch which secures the wheel on the side near the
angular point of turning is dis-engaged, leaving this wheel free to remain
stationary, or to partake of such motion as may be induced by the outer driving
wheel, which remains in gear and makes the larger circular path in the turning
about a corner, or in turning the vehicle completely round, substantially as
described in this specification, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
Sheet 3.
Dated this 10th 1
C
CHAS. A. EMBLETON,
Applicant.