IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION ENGINES FOR COMMON AND OTHER LIKE ROADS
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Richardson, of the Firm Robey and
Company, Perseverance Iron Works, Lincoln, Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION ENGINES FOR COMMON AND OTHER
LIKE ROADS."
Sealed the 5th May 1876, and dated the 10th November 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Richardson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 10th November 1875.
I, JOHN RICHARDSON, of the Firm Robey and Company, Perseverance
Iron Works, Lincoln, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION ENGINES FOR COMMON AND OTHER
LIKE ROADS," to be as follows :—
This Invention relates mainly to an improved combination of the
various parts of a traction engine, and the method of transmitting the
power of the engine to the driving wheels; the whole of the working
parts of the engine being contained within or bolted to one cast-iron

page_text: frame for applying the power of the engine in the best manner for
traction purposes.
The boiler is of the locomotive type and has a vertical or other strip
of angle iron rivetted to each side of the fire-box shell within a few
inches of the front or fire-box end. To these strips are bolted on each
side a wrought-iron horn plate, which being flanged into a rigid shape
may be of light material; these two horn plates are so rivetted to the
tender as to form an integral part of it, thus making a further saving
of weight.
Into the lower part of these horn plates are fixed the
bosses for the travelling axle, in such manner that it cannot move
in working. At a higher and convenient position is fixed a casting of
a trough or channel section, so as to combine lightness with rigidity.
This casting serves as a template distance piece (always keeping the
horn plates in rigid and correct position), and also as a bearing for
each end of the countershaft.
The upper part of each horn plate is connected with the bed plate of
engine by a sliding joint, in such a manner that the boiler is free to
expand or contract without putting a strain on any part or throwing
anything out of truth.
The advantages of this mode of construction are:--
First. The whole of the strain due to the working of engine and
driving gear is removed from the boiler.
Second. Light and yet rigid fixings are provided for all parts of the
driving mechanism.
Third. Great facilities are afforded for manufacture and repairs ;
the boiler, the working parts of the engine, and the tender, with its
horn plates and driving gear are distinct and complete in themselves,
and can be made or repaired without disturbing any other parts, while
at the same time each part is so firmly and simply connected to its
corresponding part that no unskilled man can err in connecting or dis-
connecting them.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Richardson in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 10th May 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
RICHARDSON, of the Firm Robey and Company, Perseverance Iron
Works, Lincoln, Enginéer, send greeting.
°
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said John Richardson, Her
special licence, that I, the said John Richardson, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Richardson,
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 Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION ENGINES FOR COMMON AND OTHER LIKE ROADS," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Richardson, 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 imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Richardson, 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 thereof, that is to say :-
This Invention relates mainly to an improved combination of the
various parts of a traction engine, and the method of transmitting the
power of the engine to the driving wheels; the whole of the working
parts of the engine being contained within or bolted to one cast-iron
frame for applying the power of the engine in the best manner for
traction purposes,

page_text: The boiler is of the locomotive type and has a vertical or other strip of
angle iron rivetted to each side of the fire-box shell within a few inches
of the front or fire-box end. To these strips are bolted on each side
a wrought-iron horn plate which being flanged into a rigid shape may
be of light material; these two horn plates are so rivetted to the tender t
as to form an integral part of it, thus making a further saving of
weight. Into the lower part of these horn plates are fixed the
bosses for the travelling axle in such manner that it cannot move
in working. At a higher and convenient position is fixed a casting of a
trough or channel section, so as to combine lightness with rigidity. 1
This casting serves as a template distance piece (always keeping the
horn plates in rigid and correct position), and also as a bearing for each
end of the countershaft.
The upper part of each horn plate is connected with the bed plate of
engine by a sliding joint in such a manner that the boiler is free to
expand or contract without putting a strain on any part or throwing
any thing out of truth.
The advantages of this mode of construction are:-
First. The whole of the strain due to the working of engine and
driving-gear is removed from the boiler.
Secondly. Light and yet rigid fixings are provided for all parts of the
driving mechanism.
Thirdly. Great facilities are afforded for manufacture and repairs;
the boiler, the working parts of the engine, and the tender, with its
.horn plates and driving gear, are distinct and complete in themselves,
and can be made or repaired without disturbing any other parts, while
at the same time each part is so firmly and simply connected to its
corresponding part that no unskilled man can err in connecting or
disconnecting.
The Invention will be clearly understood by reference to the accom-
panying Drawings.
Travelling Wheels, Figures 1 and 2.-These are made of a cast-iron
boss bored to fit shaft and turned up true on the flanges A, A. The whole
of the spokes are made in two pieces, 6 or more arms in one piece.
The centre is bored out to fit boss of wheel to which it is rivetted;
by this mode of construction we gain two advantages:

page_text: Fifthly. The arrangement of apparatus for steering traction engines,
as described and shown.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Richardson, have here-
unto šét my hand and seal, this Ninth day of May, One thousand.
eight hundred and seventy-six.