Improvements in Motor Cars.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1897
Complete Specification Left 20th Dec 1897 Accented 19th Mar
1898
Improvements in Motor Cars.
I, THOMAS HUGH PARKER, of the Manor House, Tettenhall, near Wolverhampton,
in the County of Stafford, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the steering of motor cars; and has for its object, to
enable a motor car to be steered to turn in a quicker curve than can conveniently
be accomplished with the present steering arrangements, and to turn in a very
quick curve without the wheels being moved unduly, or even in any degree,
underneath the body of the car.
The object above mentioned is accomplished, according to this invention, by
pivoting both the forward and hinder pair of wheels of a motor car, to the body
thereof, and suitably connecting them with the steering handle so that by a single
operation of the handle the pair of front wheels will be turned towards one
direction while the pair of hind wheels are turned towards the opposite direction.
The pivot centres about which the wheels turn are in the horizontal centre line
of the vehicle, each pair of wheels, turning about a common axis. Arms or frames
extend from the forward and hind pivot centres, respectively, and overlap one
another at their outer ends, which are formed with slotted openings therethrough.
A pin passes through both the slots, and is itself carried by a block through which
a transverse pin is screwed which is mounted in bearings carried by the body of
the vehicle. This pin is suitably geared with a steering wheel, and it will be seen
that as the pin is turned the block is moved thereby and the slotted ends of the
arms are moved and the steering thus effected. The block may travel along a
transverse guide fixed to the underside of the car body. The arms may each form
part of a frame between which and the axle of the corresponding pair of wheels
the springs are interposed.
1000
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
I, THOMAS HUGH PARKER, of the Manor House, Tettenhall, near Wolverhampton,
in the County of Stafford, Electrical Engineer, 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 has for its object to enable a motor car to be steered to turn in

page_text: a quicker curve than can conveniently be accomplished with the present steering
arrangements, and to turn in a very quick curve without the wheels being moved
unduly, or even in any degree, underneath the body of the car.
The above object is accomplished, according to this invention, by pivotally
connecting both the forward and also the hind axle of the road wheels, to the body
of the car and connecting them as hereinafter described with the steering handle
so that by a single operation of the handle the front axle will be turned towards
one direction while the hind axle is turned towards the opposite direction. Each
axle is rigid from end to end so that no part of the axle can be turned in relation
to another part thereof; and the pivot 'centres about which the wheels turn are
in the horizontal centre line of the car.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, I will proceed to describe
the same with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a plan view of the under portion of the car when the body has been
removed, but the outline of the body, and the plates which are fixed thereto and
to which the steering frames or arms hereinafter described are pivoted, are indicated
by broken lines. Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken on line of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on line y y of Figure 1. In order to bring
out more clearly the novel features of the invention, the wheels, springs and axles
are shewn, in each view, by broken lines only.
A is a steering frame by which the two forward wheels are carried, the springs B
being interposed between the sides of the frame and the axle C. The frame is
pivoted at a to the plate D which is fixed to the underside of the car body. A
bearing path b is formed at each end of the plate D and the upward pressure of
the frame A is transmitted to the body of the car through the medium of friction
rollers c which are pivoted to the frame and bear against the underside of the
portions 6 of the plate. A¹ is a corresponding frame to the frame A but carries
the pair of hind wheels, and this frame is pivoted and its upward pressure trans-
mitted to the car body similarly as is the case with the frame A. The frames A
and A are formed with extensions E and F, the ends of which dd' overlap
each other. Through each end is formed a longitudinal slot, such as f shewn by
Figure 1. A nut g, which is an easy sliding fit between the ends d and d¹, is
formed with studs h which project from the upper and lower faces of the nut
and have a common axis, and these studs enter, respectively, the slots through the
ends dd. The ends d d¹, with the nut g between them, are an easy
sliding fit between an upper guide F, which is fixed to the body of the car,
and a lower fixed guide F A screw G, which is carrièd in suitable bearings i i
at the ends of the guides F F¹, is screwed through the nut g. On one end of
the screw G is fixed a chain-wheel k by means of which the screw G may be
turned through the medium of suitable gear from the steering handle.
In the illustrations, the road wheels H are shewn in their middle or straight
running position. When the screw G is turned in one direction the inner ends
of the frames are both drawn towards one side of the car, with the effect that the
car is steered to turn to the opposite side; and when the screw is turned in the
opposite direction the frames are of course moved in the opposite direction.
is
Any suitable means of operating the screw G from a steering handle may be
employed. In the illustrations, the movement of a vertical steering spindle
shewn to be imparted to the screw G through the medium of an endless chain m
which passes around a chain wheel n fixed on the spindle and around the wheel k,
suitable rollers p being carried at the underside of the car body to guide the chain.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A motor car having the forward axle and also the hind axle of the road
wheels each pivotally connected with the body of the car, and arms or frames

page_text: connected with such axles which extend from the forward and hind pivot centres,
respectively, in combination with a transverse screw carried in fixed bearings and
geared with the outer ends of the arms or frames, and a wheel on one end of such
screw through the medium of which it is rotated to move the arms or frames, and
consequently the axles, simultaneously in opposite directions, substantially as
described.
2. A motor car having the forward axle and also the hind axle of the road
wheels each pivotally connected with the body of the car, and arms or frames
connected with such axles which extend from the forward and hind pivot centres,
respectively, in combination with a nut which is pivotally connected with such arms
and a screw which is carried in fixed bearings and is screwed through the nut,
and a wheel on one end of such screw through the medium of which it is rotated
to move the arms or frames, and consequently the axles, simultaneously in opposite
directions, substantially as described.
3. The improvements in the means of steering motor cars substantially as
described and shewn by the drawings herewith.
ו..
117
of Decembo 1807
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.