Running Gear for Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 23rd.Dec., 1899.
Communicated from abroad by SAFETY THREE WHEEL VEHICLE COMPANY (In-
corporated under the laws of New York), of No. 226, East 63rd Street, New
York, State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturers,
Running Gear for Vehicles.
1, WALLACE FAIRWEATHER, C.E., of 62, Saint Vincent Street, in the City of
Glasgow, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The invention relates to frames or running gear for carriages or similar
vehicles, more especially for vehicles having only three wheels, and its object
is to provide an inexpensive, light and graceful frame or running gear, which
shall at the same time be easily assembled, durable, capable of resisting such
strains as it may be subjected to and adapted to permit the vehicle to be turned
in a curve of a short radius.
The invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement
of parts, as hereinafter more particularly described.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. is a side view of a vehicle provided with
the invention, Fig: 2 a plan view, and Fig. 3 a back view of the same; Fig. 4
is a side view of a modified form of the invention, and Fig. 5 a plain view of the
same; Fig. 6 is a side view of another modified form of the invention, Fig. 7
a plan view, and rig. S a front view of the sanie.
In constructing the invention, there are employed two rear wheels aa, having
an axle b, and one somewhat smaller front wheel e; mounted in a fork d. Wire-
spoked wheels are preferred; provided with pneumatic tires, on account of their
lightness and strength, but any form of wheels can be used without departing
from the spirit of the invention. The axle is curved or arched (see Fig. 3)
and is provided with a goose-neck e at each end of the elevated portion thereof.
The fork is provided at its upper end with a post frigidly attached thereto,
the upper extremity of which is provided with a nut or similar means for
securing the same, as hereinafter described. To the fork d are pivotally attached
the shafts h.
The connecting pieces for the parts above described are preferably made of
metal tubing, as by employing the same great lightness is secured with at the
same time ample strength. The principal connecting piece is a tubing, which
is bent into a rectangular shape (see Fig. 2) is suitably rigidly attached to the
goosenecka e e, and the ends of which are respectively rigidly attached to
opposite sides of a sleeve &, adapted to receive the post-f, which after insertion is
secured therein by the nut g. The post is free to turn in the sleevek, and is
provided at or near its lower end, or the point where it is attached to the
fork, with a circular or surrounding shoulder 7, which bears against a corre-
sponding shoulder or bearing surface in upon the lower end of the sleeve k, thus
forming a fifth wheel device.
"
Rigidly attached to the rear axle b; near its ends respectively, are braces n;

page_text: not
which are extended upward and inward, and rigidly attached to the tubing ¿;
and also rigidly attached to the tubing are braces o, preferably curved as shown,
which extend inward and slightly upward and are rigidly attached to the sleeve k
near its upper end. To the tubing are also attached the supporting springs P,
bearing the vehicle body ; this body is cut away or hollowed out in its lower
front portion as shown in the figures, to avoid interference with the braces o.
In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the axle
elevated or raised to such an extent as in the form just described, and the said
axle may if desired be entirely straight. From the sleeve & extend laterally the
pieces which are then bent backward and then curved downward, rigidly
attached to the axle, and then curved upward, as shown in Fig. 4. From the
sleeve also extends laterally the tubing, which is rigidly attached to the rear
ends of the pieces, and also attached to each of said pieces at a point or points
forward of the depressed curves of the pieces 7. A short bracer which may be
curved as shown in Fig. 4, connects a transverse brace to the upper end of the
sleeve, and braces ss, connecting said brace with the pieces, on each side of
the sleeve, further contribute to the rigidity and strength of the frame. The
vehicle body is borne by springs in a manner analogous to the arrangement
herein before described.
It will be evident that instead of the sleeve & there may be employed a solid
casting, and instead of the post, a device similar to an ordinary king-bolt may
bo provided, connecting the said solid casting and the fork bearing the front
wheel. It will of course be understood that the casting must be perforated to
allow the passage of the king-bolt, and also that the bearing surfaces constituting
the fifth wheel should in such case be somewhat larger than those shown in the
drawings. The modification just described is considered to be the equivalent
of the construction shown in the drawings, and within the scope of the invention.
It will also be evident that numerous non-essential changes of detail can be
made in the form, arrangement, combination and attachment of the connecting
pieces and braces which have been shown and have been hereinabove described,
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, such modified con-
structions differing from those here shown only in matters of non-essential detail,
being equivalents of the invention.
It will be further understood that instead of wheels, runners may be employed.
In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the axle, wheels
and front fork are designated by the same letters of reference as before. The
axle is curved or arched, and is provided with V-shaped pieces, rigidly
attached to each end of the elevated portion of the axle. The fork d is attached
at its upper end to a casting, having a vertically projecting post f, the upper
extremity of which is provided with a nut g or similar means for securing the
same, as in the previously described forms of the invention. Diagonally extend-
ing braces 15 (see Fig. 6) are provided for maintaining the fork in its proper
position.
The principal connecting pieces are side tubings 10, which are bent into the
shape shown in Fig. 7, the rear ends of which are brazed or otherwise suitably
rigidly attached to a casting 12, the portions in proximity to the axle likewise
attached to the V-shaped pieces w, and the front ends to opposite sides of a
casting y The casting y forms a sleeve, which adapted to receive the post f.
which after insertion is secured therein by the nut . The post f is free to
turn in the sleeve and the casting to which it is attached bears against the
casting y. forming a fifth wheel device.
Rigidly attached to the axle b, near its ends are braces, which extend
forward, upward and inward, and are rigidly attached to the tubings 10: and
also rigidly attached to the axle, near its middle point, is a brace 11, which
extends backward and upward and is rigidly attached to the casting 12. A
horizontal brace a connects the tubings 10 near their middle parts (Fig. 7).
To the castings 12 and are bolted or otherwise suitably attached the supporting

page_text: springs p, p, to the upper parts of which are secured pieces 14, and pieces 13
which pass under the front and rear of the body 7 and support the same.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a curved or arched
rear axle and wheels thereon, and a forward fork and a wheel therein, said fork
bearing a post; of a sleeve adapted to receive and retain said post, a frame i
connecting the upper part of said axle with one end of said sleeve, braces connecting
the ends or lower parts of said axle with said frame, and braces connecting
said frame with the other end of said sleeve, substantially as herein set forth.
2. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination of a curved or arched
rear axle and wheels thereon, and a forward fork and a wheel. therein said fork
being provided with diagonal braces 15 and with a post; of a sleeve adapted to
receive and retain said post, a frame i connecting the upper part of said axle with
one end of said sleeve, braces connecting the ends or lower parts of said axle with
said frame i, and braces connecting said frame i with the other end of said sleeve
substantially as herein set forth.
3. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a rear axle and
wheels thereon, said axle bearing goose-necks e e on its upper or curved portion,
and a forward fork and a wheel therein, said fork bearing a post of a sleeve
adapted to receive and retain said post, a frame connecting said goose-necks
with one end of said sleeve, braces connecting the ends or lower parts of said
axle with said frame i, and braces connecting said frame with the other end
of said sleeve, substantially as hercin set forth.
4. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a curved or arched
rear axle and wheels thereon, said axle bearing goose-necks ee on its upper or
curved portion and a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork being provided
with diagonal braces 15 and with a post; of a sleeve adapted to receive and
retain said post, a frame i connecting said goose-necks with one end of said
sleeve, braces connecting the ends or lower parts of said axle with said frame i,
and braces connecting said frame with the other end of said sleeve, substantially
as herein set forth.
5. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a rear axle and
wheels thereon, said axle bearing goose-necks e e, and a forward fork and a
wheel therein, and a fifth wheel device; of a connecting frame joining said axle
and said fifth wheel device, comprising the rectangular frame i, the braces n,
and the braces o, substantially as herein set forth.
6. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a rear axle and
wheels thereon, said axle bearing goose-necks e e, and a forward fork and a
wheel therein said fork being provided with diagonal braces 15, and a fifth wheel
device of a connecting frame joining said axle and said fifth wheel device.
comprising the rectangular frame i, the braces n, and the braces o, substantially
as herein set forth.
7. In a vehicle frame running gear, the combination with a rear axle and wheels
thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein, and a fifth wheel device: of a con-
necting frame comprising the pieces and and the braces t, r, and ss, sub-
stantially as herein set forth.
8. In a vehicle frame or running gear. the combination of a rear axle and
wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork having diagonal
braces 15. and a fifth wheel device; of a connecting frame comprising the
pieces and and the braces t, rands, substantially as herein set forth.
9. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a rear axle and
wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein. and a fifth wheel device:
of a connecting frame comprising the pieces and . and auxiliary or bracing
pieces adapted to steady the fifth wheel device substantially as herein set forth.

page_text: 10. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a rear axle and
wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork being provided with
diagonal braces 15, and a fifth wheel device; of a connecting frame comprising
the pieces and, and auxiliary or bracing pieces adapted to steady the fifth
wheel device, substantially as herein set forth.
11. In a vehiclo frame or running gear, the combination with a rear axle and
wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork being provided
with diagonal braces 15, and a fifth wheel device; of side pieces 10 having their
front ends connected to the upper member of said fifth wheel device and their
middle portions to said rear axle, and braces » connecting said axle and said
side pieces, substantially as herein set forth.
12. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a rear axle
and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork being provided
with diagonal braces 15, and a fifth wheel device; of side pieces 10 having their
front ends connected to the upper member of said fifth wheel device, their
middle portions to said rear axle, and their rear ends to a casting 12, braces
connecting said axle and said side pieces, and a brace 1 connecting said axle
with said casting 12, substantially as herein set forth.
13. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a rear axle and
wheels therein, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork being provided
with diagonal braces 15, and a fifth wheel device; of side pieces 10 having their
front ends connected to the upper member of said fifth wheel device; their
middle portions to said rear axle, and their rear ends to a casting 12, braces an
connecting said axle with said side pieces, a brace 11 connecting said axle with
said casting 12, and a horizontal bracer connecting the side pieces 10 together,
substantially as herein set forth.
14. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a rear axle and
wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork being provided
with diagonal braces 15, and a fifth wheel device: of side pieces 10 having their
front ends connected to the upper member of the fifth wheel device, their middle
portions connected to supports adapted to connect the same to rear axle and to
elevate the same above the said axle, and their rear ends connected to a casting 12,
braces a connecting said axle with said side pieces, and a brace 11 connecting
said axle with said casting 12, substantially as herein set forth.
15. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a rear axle and
wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork being provided with
diagonal braces 15, and a fifth wheel device: of side pieces 10 having their front
ends connected to the upper member of said fifth wheel device, their middle portions
connected to supports adapted to connect the same to said rear axle and to elevate
the same above said axle, and their rear ends connected to the casting 12.
braces connecting said axle with said side pieces, a brace 11 connecting said
axle with said casting 12, and a brace connecting the said side pieces together,
substantially as herein set forth.
16. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a curved or
arched rear axle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork
being provided with diagonal braces 15, and a fifth wheel device; of side pieces 10
having their front ends connected to the upper member of suid fifth wheel device,
their middle portions to the raised or arched portion of the rear axle, and their
rear ends to the casting 12, braces connecting the ends or lower portions
of the said axle with said side pieces, and a brace 11 connecting the middle
portion of said axle with the said casting 12, substantially as herein set forth.
17. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a curved or
arched,rear axle and, wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said
fork being provided with diagonal braces 15, and a fifth wheel device of side
pieces 10 having their front ends connected to the upper member of said fifth
wheel device, their middle portions to the raised or arched portion of said rear
axle, and their rear ends to a casting 12, braces nn connecting the ends or lower

page_text: portions of said axle with said side pieces, a brace 11 connecting the middle
portion of said axle with said casting 12, and a brace & connecting the said side
pieces together, substantially as herein set forth.
18. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a rear axle and
wheels thereon a forward fork and a wheel therein, and a fifth wheel device;
of side pieces 10 having their front end connected to the upper member of said
fifth wheel device, their middle portions to supports adapted to connect the same
to said rear axle and to elevate said side pieces above said axle, and their rear
ends to a casting 12, braces n n connecting said axle with said side pieces and a
brace 11 connecting said axle with said casting 12, substantially as herein set
forth.
19. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a rear axle
and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein, and a fifth wheel device;.
of side pieces 10 having their front ends connected to the upper member of said
fifth wheel device, their middle portions to supports adapted to connect the same
to said rear axle, and to elevate said side pieces above said axle, and their
rear ends to a casting 12, braces n n connecting said axle with said side pieces,
a brace 11 connecting said axle with said casting 12, and a brace connecting
said side pieces together, substantially as herein set forth.
20. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a curved or
arched rear axle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein, and
a fifth wheel device; of side pieces 10 having their front ends connected to the
upper member of said fifth wheel device, their middle portions to the raised
or arched portion of said rear axle, and their rear ends to a casting 12, braces n
connecting the ends or lower portions of said axle with said side pieces, and a
brace 11 connecting the middle portion of said axle with said casting 12, substan-
tially as herein set forth.
21. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a curved or
arched axle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein, and a
fifth wheel device of side pieces 10 having their front ends connected to the
upper member of said fifth wheel device, their middle portions to the raised or
arched portion of the rear axle, and their rear ends to a casting 12, braces nn
connecting the ends or lower portions of said axle with said side pieces, a brace 11
connecting the middle portion of said axle with said casting 12, and a brace r
connecting said side pieces together, substantially as herein set forth.
22. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a curved or
arched rear axle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein, und a
fifth wheel device; of side pieces 10 having their front ends connected to the
upper member of said fifth wheel device, their middle portions connected to the
raised or arched portion of said rear axle, and their rear ends connected to a
casting 12, braces n n connecting the ends or lower portions of the axle with said
side pieces, a brace 11 connecting the middle portion of said axle with said
casting 12, supporting springs Pp and supporting pieces 13 and 14. substantially
as herein set forth.
23. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a curved or
arched rear axle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork
being provided with diagonal braces 15, and a fifth wheel device; of side pieces 10
having their front ends connected to the upper member of the fifth wheel device,
their middle portions connected to the raised or arched portion of the rear axle,
and their rear ends connected to a casting 12, braces n a connecting the ends
or lower portions of the axle with said side pieces, a brace 11 connecting the
middle portion of said axle with said casting 12, supporting springs p p and
supporting pieces 13 and 14, substantially as herein set forth.
24. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a rear axle and
wheels thereon a forward fork and a wheel therein, and a fifth wheel device:
of side pieces 10 having their front ends connected to the upper member of said
fifth wheel device, their middle portions to supports adapted to connect them to

page_text: said axle and to elevate them therefrom, and their rear ends to a casting 12,
braces connecting said axle with said side pieces, abrace 11 connecting the
middle portion of said axle with said casting12, supporting springs p, pand
supporting pieces 13 and 14; substantially as herein set forth.
.3.
25. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination with a rear axle and
wheels thereon, a forward fork andra wheel therein said fork being provided
with diagonal braces '15; and a fifth wheel device; of side pieces 10 having their
front ends connected to the upper member of said fifth wheel device, their
middle portions to 'supports adapted to connect the same to said rear axle and
to elevate the same therefrom, and theirear ends to a casting 12, braces n n
connecting said axle with said side pieces, a brace 11 connecting said axle with
said casting 12 supporting springs and supporting pieces and 14, sub-
stantially as herein set forth.:
-
:
26. In a vehicle frame or running gear, the combination-with a rear axle and
wheels thereon, a forward fork and wheel therein- said fork being provided
with diagonal braces 15; and a fifth wheel-device; of side pieces 10 having their
front ends connected to the upper member of said fifth-wheel device, their
middle portions to supports adapted to connect the same to said rear axle and to
elevate the same therefrom, and their rear ends to a casting 12, braces in con-
necting said axle with said side pieces, a brace 11 connecting said axle with said
casting 12; a brace a connecting the said side pieces together, supporting
springs p-p, and supporting pieces 13 and 14, substantially as herein set forth.
Dated this 10th day of November, 1899.,
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