Improvements in and relating to the Construction of Carts, Wagons, and Heavy Vehicles generally.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 14th Aug., 1894-Accepted, 15th Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Construction of Carts, Wagons,
and Heavy Vehicles generally.
I, JOB WHIRLEDGE, of Verandah Cottage, Wyld's Lane. in the City and
County of Worcester, Colliery Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to improved means for providing spring bearings
for the bodies of carts, wagons, and other heavy vehicles, for the purpose of
rendering them easier and safer when in motion.
It may he stated in the first place, that the spring bearings are in connection
with metal plates, or cases, upon the shafts, the butt ends of which, are mounted
and secured by screws or bolts in such plates or cases which consist preferably of
malleable iron, and are situated beneath the body of the cart or other vehicle and
above the axle tree at each end thereof, two short metal sockets are cast or
connected to the under surface of the plates or cases, at a distance of about ten
inches (more or less as may be required) from centre to centre of each, the under
surface of the shaft ends have two corresponding projecting pieces or snugs,
attached to same which take into and work within the sockets.
The rear ends of the shaft plates or cases, are provided with a suitable
arrangement (or the usual arrangement) in connection with the body of the cart
whereby the same can be tipped to discharge contents.
Situated below the shaft plates or cases are metal boxes, one at each end of the
axle, which have ear pieces, or flanges thereon, to connect them by screws, bolts or
other means, to the axle tree, these metal boxes are suitably made to contain two
spiral springs (or other springs or spring substance) in each, the one behind, and
the other in front of each end of the axle tree, and in a direct vertical line with
the before named sockets upon the shaft plates, the top plates of the metal boxes
are cut out to allow of the sockets having play, and working through same, the
bottom plates of the boxes are movable, and whilst covering in the springs serve as
strengthening plates to the fittings.
The spiral springs have bolts up the centre of same, of sufficient length to receive
such springs, these bolts have nuts, or heads, upon their lower ends, and collars
upon their upper, to retain the springs in place.
When the cart, or other vehicle, is loaded, the spiral springs become compressed
by the weight, the sockets upon the shaft plates bear upon the top of the springs,
whilst the inner projections, or snugs. upon the shaft ends, bear upon the collars of
the vertical bolts, thus producing a kind of piston action.
The entire arrangement is kept perfectly steady and free from oscillation by the
bolts, which pass through the lower loose plates of the metal boxes, and are bolted
up tight to the top of the boxes by the collars, so that it is impossible for any part
to become disconnected.
The practical effect and utility of this construction of spring bearings is that the
vebicle either empty or loaded can travel much smoother and the contents of the
vehicle, can be conveyed very much easier, and safer, and the wear and tear greatly
reduced, than at present is the case, in the usual method of building, as the spiral
springs, and their connectious obviously take up the main pressure and weight as
also friction of the body of the cart or other vehicle from off the axle tree, by reason

page_text: of there being no immediate contact between the body of same, and the axle tree,
thus all jolting etc., is reduced to a minimum.
Dated this 9th day of November A.D. 1893.
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Construction of Carts, Wagons,
and Heavy Vehicles generally.
I, JOB WHIRLEDGE of Verandah Cottage Wylds Lane in the City and
County of Worcester Colliery Agent, 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 :-
My invention has reference to improved means for providing spring bearings for
the bodies of carts, waggons and other heavy vehicles for the purpose of rendering
them easier and sater when in motion and thus minimising vibration and friction of
the parts in contact with each other.
I will proceed to describe my improvements fully with the assistance of the
drawings hereunto annexed and forming a part of this Specification.
Figure I is a side elevation of my improved arrangements.
Figure II a plan of the upper part of same.
Figure III is an end elevation.
Figure IV a sectional elevation.
Figure V is a plan with the upper part or "slipper" removed.
Figure VI is a side elevation of the upper part or "slipper."
Figure VII and Figure VIII respectively, are views of oue of the spiral springs
and bolts in connection with my arrangements.
As is well known, usually the bodies of carts, waggons, and other vehicles of a
heavy type are in direct contact with the axle trees of same, in the case of carts
being carried by the shafts thereon.
By my method the spring bearings intervene between the bodies of the vehicles
and their axle trees; at or near each end of the axle tree A situated beneath the
body of the cart or other vehicle is mounted a metal case or boxing B preferably
composed of malleable iron as being of a tough and lasting nature, the metal case
has flange pieces or ears C, thereon for attachment to the axle tree by means of
screw bolts and nuts D passing horizontally through the same, or other suitable
method of attachment. Each metal case is formed having two vertical cylindrical
chambers one at the front and back thereof, within which are placed powerful
springs E preferably of a spiral form and of a diameter somewhat smaller than
the cylindrical chambers, footings B₁ are in the chambers for the springs to
rest upon.
"
The butt ends of the shafts as at F are mounted in and carried by malleable
iron or other metal plates or "slippers G, which are bolted to the shafts and
through the same as at H. The rear ends of these plates or "slippers" are pro-
vided with a suitable arrangement or the usual method of arrangement may be used
in connection therewith and with the body of the cart or other vehicle whereby the
same can be tipped to discharge contents.
66
Two short metal projections or rams I are cast or connected to the underside of
the metal plates or
slippers" at a distance of about ten inches from centre to
centre, more or less, as may be required, these metal projections or rams I correspond
with and slide piston like within the upper part of the cylindrical chambers of the
casings or boxings B. the metal projections or rams have cylindrical chambers
therein terminating. at their bases with projections or shoulders J see sectional
view, forming collars therein, the metal plates or "slippers" G, are connected in

page_text: direct vertical line with the metal cases or boxings B. by means of bolts K passing
vertically through same down the centres of the spiral springs E the heads K¹
being received by the shoulders or collars J, the bolts are then screwed up tightly
from their bases by the nuts K2, and to further assist in maintaining the nuts in
place thereon pins K³ are provided which pass horizontally through the bolts
below the nuts which prevent any possibility of their becoming unscrewed by the
motion of the vehicle.
The base plate of the case or boxing as at M, may either be cast independently
of the same or in one therewith and serves as a strengthening plate to the fittings,
thus the springs and their bolts are completely boxed in and the parts securely
connected.
The action of the bearings is thus,
When the cart or other vehicle is loaded the spiral springs become compressed
by the weight; the metal projections or rams I, upon the shaft plates or
"slippers" G, bearing upon the top of the spiral springs E, the upper part of the
bolts K sliding within the projections or rams, free play being allowed for the
action of same and for the action of the rams within the cylindrical chambers, upon
the springs.
The entire arrangement is kept perfectly steady and free from oscillation when
bolted up as shewn and described.
The practical effect and utility of this construction of spring bearings is, that
the cart or other vehicle either when empty or loaded will travel much smoother,
and when loaded the contents can be conveyed very much easier and safer and the
wear and tear greatly reduced than at present is the case in the method of building,
as the spiral springs and their connections take up the main pressure and weight
as also all friction of the body of the vehicle from off the axle tree by reason of
there being no immediate contact between the parts & thus moreover reducing all
jolting to a minimum.
I may further state that instead of spiral springs as before described I may use
other suitable springs or spring substance according to requirements in connection
with my improvements, the details of the auxiliary parts being made to correspond
therewith.
I do not limit myself to the precise arrangements or details of construction
herein set forth as may vary or modify the same without departing from the
main features of this my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
First. In the construction of carts, waggons, and other heavy vehicles the
application and attachment of spring bearings to the same arranged and operating
in the manner and for the purpose substantially as herein set forth and described.
Second: In the construction of carts, waggons, and other heavy vehicles, the
general arrangement of spring bearings herein described or other similar acting
means or appliances in any suitable form, for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 13th day of August A.D. 1894.
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.