Improvements in Tricycle Axles
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Tricycle Axles.
MARRIOTTS, LIMITED, Hay Mill, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
JAMES DOWNING SPENCER, 709, Coventry Road, Small Heath, Birmingham,
Cycle Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
The object of my invention is to provide an axle for the two driving wheels
of a tricycle, which will comprise the usual differential balance gear, and will at
the same time obviate the necessity of dividing the axle into two, thereby
causing a greater or less tendency to bend or separate when a heavy weight
comes upon it. For this purpose a central rod is used of sufficient length to
extend through both wheels. Upon this rod is fixed the chain wheel, in the
position where it is désired to have the chain. On the chain wheel are arranged
two small bevelled wheels, one at each end of a diameter of the chain wheel,
and capable of rotating round this diameter; or only one small wheel may be
used. A métal tube is fitted on the central rod from each end of the latter. On
the inner end of each tube is fixed a bevelled wheel, both of which wheels when
the tubes are pushed home on the central rod, gear with the small bevelled
wheels on the chain wheel.
On the outer end of each tube is fixed the tricycle wheel, which is kept on
the central rod by means of a nut or its equivalent screwed on each end of the
rod. As long as the tricycle is moving in a straight line, the pull on the chain
wheel, which is keyed or otherwise fixed on the central rod, causes the two tubes
to revolve with it, and therefore the two tricycle wheels as well. When the
tricycle is moving in a bend, the tubes are revolving at different speeds, and
there is therefore relative motion between the tubes and the rod. Ball or other
suitable bearings can be placed at all desired points, wherever there is relative
motion between the parts.
The whole of the parts may be covered up so as to protect the axle from
dust.
The frame of the tricycle can be attached to the axle by sleeves on suitable
bearings, or by other similar means.
In order to take the axle to pieces, it is only necessary to remove the two
nuts at each end of the central rod, when the wheels and tubes can be pulled off.
Dated Twenty-sixth day of October 1898.
נזהחTוזז
MARRIOTTS' LIMITED.
HARRY PINCHBECK, Director.
J. MARRIOTT, Director,
JAMES DOWNING SPENCER.

page_text: We, MARRIOTTS, LTD., of Hay Mill, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Manufacturers, and JAMES DOWNING SPENCER, of 709, Coventry Road, Small
Heath, Birmingham, 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:-
-
The object of our invention is to provide an axle for the two driving wheels
of a tricycle, which will comprise the usual differential or balance gear and will
at the same time obviate the necessity of dividing the axle into two, thereby
causing a greater or less tendency to bend or separate when a heavy weight comes
upon it.
In order that our invention may be more clearly understood, we shall describe.
it in reference to the accompanying drawing which is a longitudinal section
showing one half of the axle with the balance gearing.
A is a central solid or hollow rod or shaft of sufficient length to extend com-
pletely through both wheels. Upon this rod is fixed the chain wheel B in the
position where it is desired to have the chain.
Mounted and capable of rotating on radial pins b, b, in this chain wheel are
two small bevelled wheels e, c. The pins bb may if desired be in one piece
extending through the rod A, and instead of using two bevelled pinions we may
use only one or several. F, F1 are tubes surrounding the rod A and each carrying
fixed on at its inner end, a bevelled pinion D or Di gearing with the pinions c c.
The outer end of each tube is rigidly attached to the hub G on one of the driving.
wheels. The cup e¹ of the bearing E may be used as a lock nut to keep the
lub G in place. The tube F is free to revolve on the rod A, and has at its
outer end a ball bearing E and at its inner end a plain tubular bearing L. The
cone e of the ball bearing E is screwed on to the rod A and locked by the nut H.
The tube Frevolves in an outer tube J on the ball bearings K, K. This outer
tube, Jis attached to the frame of the tricycle. It may extend over the whole
of the tube F from bevelled wheels to hub or over a part only, as may be
desired. M is a dust cap to protect the ball bearing E.
When the tricycle is moving in a straight line, the bevelled pinions c, c, do
not revolve on their own axes, and the tubes F, F, and consequently the driving
wheels of the tricycle revolve at the same speed; but when the tricycle is moving
in a curve, the tube attached to the outer wheel revolves faster, and the tube
attached to the inner wheel slower, than the driving wheel, this difference in
velocity being allowed by the rotation of the bevelled pinions c, c, on their axes.
Suitable band brakes N. N¹, are fixed to the bevelled pinions D, D₁. By using
both of these together the tricycle can be stopped and, by using only one it can
be turned.
It is not necessary that the chain wheel should be fixed on A but this
construction is an advantage in so far that there is no slip and consequently
no friction between the rod A; and the tubes F, F1 when the tricycle is moving
in a straight line. Relative motion between the tubes and the rod occurs only
when the tricycle is moving in a curve and then it is of advantage in preventing
too rapid turning of the machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In axles for tricycles, the combination of a solid or hollow shaft which is of

page_text: sufficient length to extend completely through both driving wheels with a
lifferential or balance gear comprising one or more pinions such as c mounted
on the chain wheel and adapted to gear with wheels such as Diached to the
nner ends of tubes, such as F', carrying at their outer ends the driving wheels,
ubstantially as described.
2. The general arrangement and construction of a tricycle axle substantially
s described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 18th day of Jul. 1900
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, and 25, Cross Street, Manchester, Agents.