An Improved Skid for Heavy Road Vehicles and Apparatus in connection therewith.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 10th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 10th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Skid for Heavy Road Vehicles and Apparatus in
connection therewith.
I, JOHN ROBERTSON of 2 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire,
Scotland, Wine Merchants Assistant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved skid for use upon heavy waggons, trollies,
lorries and like vehicles, the object of which is to prevent accidents occuring by the
attachment and detachment thereof by the driver, and the spontaneous displacement
when in use upon slippery roads, as is the case with skids hitherto made and used.
In carrying my invention into effect I form an annular groove upon the inner end
of one of the hind wheels of the waggon, trolly, lorrie or other vehicle to which my
improved arrangement is to be attached, into which I place a metal ring in such a
manner, that, while fitting freely therein it cannot possibly come out of said groove.
Firmly attached to said ring or forming part thereof I provide a projecting arm
radiating therefrom, which may be either solid, or tubular, for reasons to be
hereinafter explained. Upon the free end of said arm I firmly fix the skid
intended to be used, which has an upper concave bearing surface coinciding with
the curve of the periphery of the wheel, the lower or skidding surface being flat
and faced with steel, the width of said skid is so much in excess of the width of
the tyre as to permit of its being provided with upturned sides, between which the
wheel may freely enter and rest upon the concave hearing surface of the skid when
the same is in use. The radial arm previously mentioned is connected by its free
end to the inner upturned side of the skid, and is of such a length as to admit of
the skid while loosely embracing the tyre and felloes of the wheel, to be a sufficient
distance therefrom to allow the wheel to revolve upon its axle without touching the
skid when in a position of rest, or in other words when not in use, but when the
skid is placed upon the ground and the wheel placed therein and thereon, for
the purpose of skidding the vehicle, it must necessarily be in close contact with the
tyre of the wheel, therefore the before mentioned radial arm must accomodate itself
to the dual position of the skid. To attain this I either form said arm of solid metal
and allow sufficient play, or freedom between the ring and groove on the nave of the
wheel to permit a similar amount of play between the skid and the tyre when at rest,
or form said arm partly solid and partly tubular, and interpose a spiral spring and
guide pin, to keep the skid from touching the wheel by the tension of the spring
under similar circumstances. It will be understood from the above description of the
skid and its attachments that if the vehicle be raised so that the wheel is off the
ground the skid can be passed all round the wheel by reason of its attachment to
the radial arm.
I mention this that its action later on may be better understood.
When my invention be adapted for use upon a trolly, or lorrie, I attach to the side
of said vehicle and nearly in a vertical line with the axis of the front wheel, a stout,
and preferably, circular metallic plate, having a stout stud projecting from the
centre thereof, and upon a circumferential line drawn upon said plate about
midway between said stud and the periphery of the plate, I bore or otherwise
form a number of holes equidistant from each other and as close together as
possible consistent with the strength of the plate for the duties it has to perform.
Upon said stud 1 mount a metallic reel, or double flanged wheel, which may be
kept thereon by a nut, or pin, or any other suitable device so long as said wheel be
left free to revolve thereon, and in rubbing contact with the fixed plate. Upon the
outer face of said wheel I provide a split handle by which it may be turned. One
half of which is fixed rigidly to the wheel, or may form part thereof, the other half

page_text: being mounted upon a swivel formed upon the wheel, and has upon its heel end a
right angled projection cast or otherwise formed therewith, upon the free end of which
is swivelled a stout pin which passes freely through a hole bored or otherwise formed
in the reel, said hole being in such a position as to coincide with the holes in the fixed
plate. A suitable spring is interposed within the split of the handle, the tension of
which tends to keep the two halves of the handle apart, the extent of the opening in
the handle being regulated by the projection on the loose or pivotted half coming in
contact with the face of the reel or wheel. It must be understood that when the
handle is open (which it always is when at rest) the swivelled pin on the end of
the projection is pushed thereby through the hole in the reel into one of the holes in
the fixed plate, and while in this position the reel or flanged wheel cannot be
revolved, but when the handle is closed by the pressure of the hand the swivelied
pin is withdrawn through the hole in the reel a sufficient distance to be clear of the
fixed plate, when the reel may be turned round ad. lib. To the periphery of said
reel or wheel between the flanges thereof is fixed one end of a square or rectangular
stud chain, a suitable recess being formed in the wheel for that purpose, so that as the
chain is wound thereon the second layer passes over the embedded end without jar or
jerk. The flanges of the wheel are formed of sufficient depth to receive the amount
of chain required without projecting therebeyond. The opposite end of the chain
passes over a grooved wheel upon the side of the trolly, or lorrie, to the skid, and is
affixed thereto in a manner to be hereinafter more fully described.
Referring again to the skid. Upon the outer upturned side thereof I provide a
metallic dust proof box which may be attached thereto by any suitable means or made
partly in connection therewith. Within this box I provide an arrangement for
carrying the skid round the wheel when said wheel is to be unskidled. I attain this
by the adoption of either of the following methods. Within said box I arrange a
crank upon a spring swivel, one end of said crank projects through the side of the
box next the wheel, the other through the end of the box, and is attached by a swivel
to the free end of the before mentioned chain. Upon the outer surface of the rim
of the wheel and for the whole of the length thereof I provide indentations or
serrations, either upon the felloes or the tyre, so that the projecting end of the swivel
near the wheel engages with said serrations by the tension of its spring, by this means
the skid would be carried round with the wheel when not detained by the chain. Or
1 may provide upon the outer surface, or the internal periphery of the felloes a series
of projecting studs, and arrange the swivel in the box in such a manner as to engage
therewith to attain the same result. Or I may dispense with the spring within the
box and arrange the swivel in such a way that by attaching a weight or ball to one
end thereof, the opposite or projecting end may be kept in contact with the serrations,
or studs upon the wheel, at any point below the axis of the wheel, by means of
gravity acting upon the ball or weight. In the latter case the chain may be swivelled
to the outer side of the skid. The manner of operation according to my invention is
as follows, that is to say.
When the skid is not in action it is kept suspended near the bottom of the trolly or
lorrie by the chain passing over the grooved pulley or wheel to the reel upon which
it is wound, and held there by the automatic action of the split handle before described.
When it is necessary to skid the wheel there is no absolute need to stop the vehicle,
the driver simply presses the handle together and releases the reel which he then turns
round and the chain is thereby paid out until the skid has fallen to the ground
and the wheel has mounted thereon, he then releases his hold upon the handle
which immediately opens and locks the reel by the action thereof as previously
described. When the driver wishes to release the skid, there is no need to stop
the vehicle to attain this, as is the case with skids hitherto made and used, but by
closing the handle as before and paying out a few more links the wheel travels off the
skid, and the skid is carried round by the wheel, and in the meantime the driver is
winding up the chain so that when the skid reaches its normal position of rest he
again releases the handle and it becomes automatically locked as before, ready for use
again when required. I may in certain cases duplicate the whole of the above

page_text: arrangement, so as to skid both rear wheels. I attain this by dispensing with the
stud upon the before described fixed plate, and in lieu thereof I provide a loose shaft
extending across the vehicle to a similar plate on the opposite side, in this case the
reel, or flanged chain wheel, and its duplicate, would be fixed to said axle.
When it is desired to attach my invention to vans or waggons having a box or seat
for the driver I arrange the fixed plate, or plates, and the corresponding reel, or reels,
at either side of said seat, so as to be operated by the driver without getting down
therefrom, and carry the chain over a second or third grooved pulley suitably
interposed between the driver and the skids in the same manner as in the previous
method.
Dated thie 30th day of September 1890
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMETIM
An Improved Skid for Heavy Road Vehicles and Apparatus in
connection therewith.
1, JOHN ROBERTSON, of 2 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire,
Scotland, Wine Merchants Assistant, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to an improved skid for use upon heavy waggons, trollies,
lorries and like vehicles. the object of which is to prevent accidents occuring by the
attachment and detachment thereof by the driver, and the spontaneous displacement
when in use upon slippery roads, as is the case with skids hitherto made and used,
and the manner of operating the same is clearly set forth and described in and
by the following statement.
I wish it understood that the parts herein spoken of as metallic I may, unless
otherwise expressed, construct them of any kind of metal, or combination or alloy
of metals, suitable for the purpose, and may adopt the use of any of the alternative
methods herein cited for the same or similar purposes and to attain the same end
without departing from the principle of my invention.
In order that my invention and the manner of carrying the same into effect may
be more easily understood I have appended the accompanying two sheets of drawings
and have used throughout similar letters of reference to indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a waggon lorrie, or trolly wheel viewed tyrewise and
constructed according to my invention.
Fig. 2 is a view of the elliptical ring and arm attached to the skid, and
Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 1 shewing the manner of connecting Fig. 2
therewith.
Fig. 4 is the back elevation of part of Fig. 3 to further illustrate the manner in.
which the wheel is seated within the skid when the latter is at work.
Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 4 but shewing the position of the skid when not at work,
or when at rest.
Fig. 6 is a plan of the skid and
Fig. 7 is a section of same taken upon the line A B Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is an enlarge! front elevation of the automatic dust proof spring box and
lever as connected to or forming part of the skid Fig. 6.
Fig. 9 is an end view of Fig. 8.
Fig. 10 is a plan view of Fig. 8 with the lever broken off.
Fig. 11 is a sectional view of Fig. 8 taken upon the line C D.
Fig. 12 is a section of same taken upon the line E F.
Fig. 13 is a front elevation of the fixed plate, with central pin or stud.
Fig. 1 is a front view of the reel or doubled flanged wheel with central hole by
which it revolves upon the stud on Fig. 13.

page_text: Fig. 15 is a central vertical section of Fig. 14 shewing the manner in which the
stud chain is wound thereon.
Fig. 16 is a side view of Fig. 14 without its chain and mounted upon the plate and
stud Fig. 13.
Fig. 17 is a front view of part of the studded hoop or ring to be hereinafter
explained.
Fig. 18 is a view shewing the inner periphery of the felloes of part of a wheel
illustrating the position of Fig. 17 thereon, the spokes in this view are broken off.
Fig. 19 is a side elevation of part of a waggon, trolly or lorrie fitted with the
apparatus forming the subject of my invention.
In carrying out my invention I form upon the inner end of the nave of the wheel
or wheels A Fig. 1 an annular groove, or recess a, of a suitable depth and width into
which I place a metallic ring B, preferably so tempered that it may be sprung there-
into, and provided with lugs and on the ends thereof, and held in position by a
bolt and nut passing through holes formed therein. The ring B is slightly elliptical
so that when placed within a it may have a certain amount of play laterally with the
axis of A. Attached to the ring B, or forming part thereof, is an arm C, which may
be of solid metal, or forked as desired and radiating from B in a direction slightly out
of truth with an imaginary line drawn through the centre of the length of said ellipse,
the opposite end of which is attached to the inner side of the skid D, the particular
construction of which will be hereinafter fully explained. The length of C must be
such that when the wheel A is placed upon and resting within D, no part of the
weight of the vehicle is borne by either B, or (, but rests solidly upon the skid D,
but when A is taken off D and Ď is in a position of rest the arm U must permit D to
be clear of A, so that A may revolve without friction, and to accommodate to this
dual position is the object of the elliptical formation of B, so that when A is
within D the upper part of the ellipse B would stand off à as shewn by Fig. 4,
but when D is at rest the opposite part of B would stand out from a as shown at Fig. 5
Sheet 1 and so be quite clear of A as previously mentioned. Or I may construct C
telescopically and interpose therein a spiral spring to arrest the elongation and
shortening thereof as desired. The skid D is made in two distinct parts so that
the wearing surface may be renewed without displacing either Cor B. The
manner in which I construct this is more particularly described by the enlarged
plan and sectional views Figs. 6 and 7. I form the bottom or wearing surface c
of any suitable metal and perfectly flat and curved at the toe and heel in an
upward direction--this being to perimit it to easily ride or rise over any obstruc-
tion within its path when at work. Said curves continue so as to form a curl
upon the upper surface of each end inclining towards the centre. The inner
surface of the curl c¹ at the toe of D is at right angles with the sides thereof but the
inner surface of the curl c" at the heel or opposite end is formed at an angle as
shewn by the dotted lines Fig. 6 to admit and hold the body of the skate when slid
or driven thereinto in the following manner.
The body of said skate consists of two vertical metallic sides d and e connected by
solid ends of similar material d' and e', which may be attached by any suitable means,
or cast or, otherwise formed therewith. The sides d and e extend slightly beyond the
end of d¹ so as to embrace c' and prevent lateral motion occuring to d. The outer
conformation of d¹ coincides with the inner conformation of c¹ and fits solidly and
firmly thereinto. The outer conformation of e¹ corresponds with the inner con-
formation of c¹ so that the angles of each coincide. The body of D is placed in
position by first placing the point of junction of d¹ and d within e when e may be
forced into e" until d and e are flush with the sides of c the whole being held in
position by a screw or the like passing through " and into e as shewn by Fig.
Sheet 1. The upper surfaces of d' and e' are curved so as to form a concave seating
for A when placed therein. The distance between the sides d and e must be sufficient
to easily receive the width of A when placed there between. To the side d is attached
the arm C by means of screws, rivets, or the like as shewn by Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5
Sheet 1. To the side e is attached by any suitable means, or made to form part
7

page_text: thereof, an automatic dust proof spring box and lever E. This is shewn by the front
elevatio drawn to an enlarged scale at Fig. 8 Sheet 1 and consists of a rectangular
metallic box E, the front of which F is portable and slides into E by means of a
dovetailed groove formed therein. Within the roof of E 1 provide an opening
extending from the front F nearly to the back wall thereof, said wall being the side e
Fig. 6 Sheet 1 when E is formed integrally therewith. Said opening is so formed
that a vertical circular pillar G may be placed therein and seated in the bottom of E
as shewn by the dotted lines Fig. 12. The pillar G is furnished with a projecting
arm or cam G formed therewith. The front F is provided at its upper inner surface
with projections f and f¹ so formed that when F is slid into E and held in position
by a screw Ffand fit close against G and in conjunction with the opering in
the roof of E form a circular bearing in which G may freely oscillate, the projections f
and serve the double purpose of preventing any upward movement of G and
prevents dust from entering E. Within the box E I provide a spiral or other
spring H the tension of which tends to keep G¹ in close contact with F as shewn by
Figs. 11 and 12 Sheet 1. The pillar G extends above the roof of E and is shaped
like a ring at I projecting from which is an arm J having a bend J' formed thereon
inclining towards the centre of the skid. Within the ring 1 place a double heade:
stud K, to which is attached a chain to be hereinafter explained. It will be under-
stood from the description given of the box E and its accessories that a force exerted
upon K such as the pull of a chain in an oblique direction to J, would cause the
oscillation of G to the extent of the depression of H, and would impart a relative
motion to J away from the skid, and that the release of said pull would replace J
by the tension of H. I mention this at the present stage that its operation may be
more fully understood when referred to later on.
In adapting my invention to trollies, lorries and the like attach to the near side
of said vehicle and nearly in a vertical line with the axis of the front wheels a stout
and preferably circular plate L. Fig. 15 Sheet 2 having a stout stud g projecting
from the centre thereof, and upon a circumferential line drawn upon said plate about
midway between 9 and the periphery of L I bore or otherwise form a number of
circular holes equidistant from each other and as close together as possible consistent
with the strength of L for the duties it has to perform. Upon the stud g I mount
a metallic reel or double flanged wheel M Fig. 14 Sheet 2, and which may be kept
thereon by a nut, or pin, or the like, so long as the same he left free to revolve
upon g and in rubbing contact with L. Upon the outer face of M I provide a split
handle by which M may be turned, or revolved upon g, one half of which N, is fixed
rigidly to M or made integrally therewith, the other half being mounted upon a
swivel i formed upon M or N as may be desired. The half O has upon its heel end
a right-angled projection j cast or otherwise formed therewith, upon the free end of
which is swivelled at a stout pin l, shewn at Fig. 14 and by the dotted lines
Fig. 16 Sheet 2, which passes freely through a hole P bored or otherwise formed
in M, in such a position as to coincide with any and all of the holes h in L as M is
revolved. A suitable spring m is interposed between N and O the tension of which
tends to keep them apart as shewn at Fig. 16 Sheet 2. The extent of said opening
is regulated by j coming in contact with M. It will be understood from the fore-
going description that when N and O are apart (which they always are when at rest)
the swivelled pin on the end of jis pushed thereby through P into one of the holes h
in L, and while in this position M cannot revolve on g, but when N and O are closed
by the pressure of the hand j raises a sufficient distance to be clear of L, when M
may be turned for purposes to be hereinafter explained. To the periphery of the
reel or wheel M between the flanges n and o I fix one end of a square stud chain Q
a suitable recess being formed in M to receive the same, so that when Q is wound
thereon the second layer passes over the embedded end without jar or jerk.
flanges and o are of sufficient depth to receive the necessary amount of chain
without the same projecting therebeyond. The chain Q is formed with rectangular
links for so much of its length as is wound upon M the remainder being of ordinary
The

page_text: links as shewn in Fig. 19 Sheet 2, this arrangement being for economy in cost only,
and the said chain may be of rectangular links throughout if desired. The chain Q
continues on from M and passes over one or more grooved pullies R upon the side
of the vehicle and is joined to the stud K upon the box E. Upon the inner
periphery of the felloes of A I fix by screws or the like a metallic ring S upon which
are a number of studs q, which may be round, square, or any desired shape, and each
inclining towards the nave of A, and more particularly shewn by Figs. 17 and 18
Sheet 2. Or I may in lieu of the ring S provide a number of lengths similar thereto
each one bent so as to form a section of a circle, and any number of said lengths may
be used placed end to end according to the size of the wheel.
In Fig. 19 Sheet 2 I have shewn part of the side of a trolly or lorrie fitted with
the apparatus forming the subject of my invention, and the manner of its operation
is as follows, that is to say. When the skid D is not in use it is kept suspended
near the body of the vehicle T by means of the chain Q as shewn by the back view
Fig. 5 Sheet 1 and held there ad lib. by the wheel M, and when it is necessary to
skid the wheel A there is no absolute need to stop the vehicle as is the case with
skids in general use, the driver simply presses N and O together and releases M
from L which he then turns round and the chain Q is thereby paid out until the
skid D has fallen to the ground and A has mounted thereon, he then releases his
hold upon N and O which immediately separate by the tension of m and lock M
upon L in the manner previously described, and D is held in this position by Qas
long as desired.
When the driver wishes to release the skid D from A there is no
need to stop the vehicle to attain this, as is the case with skids as hitherto made
and used, and from which so many fatal accidents have occurred, but by closing N
and O as before and paying out a few more links of Q, the pull upon K is released,
and the tension of the spring H acting upon G¹ turns G sufficiently to force J¹ to
engage with the nearest of the studs q upon S and by this means the skid Dis
carried round A as shewn by the dotted outline of D Fig. 19 Sheet 2 and in the
meantime the driver is winding up the slack of Q until D has passed the summit
of A when he releases N and O as before and M becomes immediately locked in the
manner previously described. When D has arrived at or about the position shewn
by in Fig. 19 Sheet 2 it has a desire to overtake the wheel A by the action of its
own weight and thereby tightens Q which acting obliquely upon K releases J¹ from q,
when B immediately inclines towards the pull of Q, and thus places a distance
between the inner surface of D and the tyre of A corresponding to the slip permitted
by the elliptical formation of B, and D remains suspended by Q as before and as
shewn by Fig. 5 Sheet 1, until again needed for use when the same operation may
be repeated. By the adoption of my invention in the manner described the skid Ď
cannot possibly slip from under A when at work by reason of its being held by the
arm and it is next to impossible for accidents to occur to the driver as in the
methods hitherto adopted.
I may in certain cases duplicate the whole of the above arrangements, so as to
skid both of the hind wheels, and I attain this by dispensing with the stud g upon L
and in lieu thereof I provide a loose shaft extending across the vehicle to a similar
plate L on the opposite side, in this case M and its duplicate would be fixed to said
shaft, and when it is desired to attach my invention to vans or waggons having a
box or seat for the driver 1 arrange the plate or plates L and the corresponding reel
or reels M at either side of said seat, so as to be operated by the driver without
getting down therefrom, and I carry the chain Qover a second or third grooved
pulley R interposed between the driver and the skid in the same manner as in the
previous method.
I may in certain cases provide a telltale bell fixed in the neighbourhood of the
wheel M and operated by a certain link of Q to indicate to the driver when a sufficient
amount of chain has been wound up to insure the proper position of D when at rest,
this would be applicable for use upon dark nights and foggy weather, to further guard
against accidents.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is.
First In an improved skid for heavy road vehicles the construction, use and
application of the entire apparatus and the several parts connected therewith and
forming the subject of my said invention substantially as herein shewn and
described.
Second In an improved skid for heavy road vehicles and apparatus in connection
therewith, the construction and use of an elliptical ring B with solid, forked, or
telescopic arm C and skid D in combination with a groove a upon the wheel A
provided or fitted with studs q substantially as and for the purposes herein described
and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
Third In an improved skid for heavy road vehicles and apparatus in connection
therewith, the construction and use of a skid D with bearing surface c having curled
ends c and e, formed internally to receive the ends d¹ and e¹, the ends d and e¹
connected to or forming part of the sides d and e and carrying a dust proof box E,
in combination with arm and ring B substantially as herein described and shewn
by Figs. 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourth In an improved skid for heavy road vehicles and apparatus in connection
therewith the construction and use of a dust proof box E with sliding front F having
projections and f¹ for holding in position the pillar G. The pillar G with cam G¹
spring H, the ring and lever I and J, and J' connected to or forming part of G,
the stud K, and chain Q, in combination with the several parts mentioned in the
preceding claim, substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn by
Figs. 8. 9. 10. 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.
Fifth In an improved skid for heavy road vehicles and apparatus in connection
therewith the construction and use of a plate L with stud g and holes h, the reel or
wheel M with flanges n and o, and hole P, with recess p, to receive the chain Q.
the split handle N. O pivotted at i, the spring m and projection j, carrying a pin
substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth and shewn by Figs. 13. 14. 15
and 16 of the drawings hereunto appended.
Dated this 6th day of December 1890.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.