GB556398A - Improvements in chassisless vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

556,398. Carrier-box motor-cycles. SMITH, S. March 25, 1942, No. 3960. [Classes 79 (ii), 79 (iii), 79 (iv) and 136 (iii)] A single-track motor vehicle is provided with a box-like body forming the sole or main connection between the front and rear wheels, the ordinary chassis frame being dispensed with; the driver and passengers, if any, sit astride the body. The wheels may be single wheels or double wheels. and either the front or the rear wheel may be driven. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the metal or wood body 1 is provided with a longitudinal hollow beam or channel comprising side members 12, a top board 13 and a bottom board 13a. The front wheel 2 is mounted in a spring steering fork 3 swivelling in a steering head 5 secured at 9, 10 and 11 to the body. The rear wheel 21 is mounted on a pair of triangular frames 22 pivoted at 23 to rearward extensions 16 of the body and secured to plates 27 controlled by suspension springs 31. A vibration damper is provided at 28. The engine 14 is carried by the body extensions 16 and floor 15 and drives the rear wheel through a gearbox and a chain 19. Air for cooling the engine oasses through the hollow beam 12 13. 13a the lower part of which is shaped as shown to direct air on to the engine cylinder. The beam is extended rearwardly beyond the body and carries the fuel tank 32 at its rear end. The top board 13 of the beam carries a cushion or cushions 40 or saddles for the rider and passengers. The body 1 is preferably watertight and is provided with doors.34 hinged at 35, 36, and shown open in Fig. 2. Footboards 38 are hinged to the body and supported by chains 39. In a modification, Fig. 5 (not shown), the engine is mounted at the front end of the body and drives the gearbox at the rear end through a cardan shaft passing through a tunnel in the body. In the construction shown in Fig. 6 the rear wheel 21 is connected to the body 1 by links 62 pivoted to the body at 63, and other links 64 pivoted at 65 to a lever 66 which is pivoted to the body at 67 and is controlled by a hand lever 70 through a cable or rod 69. Thus by operating the hand lever the body 1 can be raised and lowered relatively to the wheel 21, and a grooved pulley 73 on the engine 71 which is carried by brackets 72 on the body can be disengaged from and engaged with the tyre of the rear wheel. The engine may drive the pulley direct or through a gearbox and there may be two pulleys geared together and connected by a belt bearing on the tyre. The body 1 is preferably of sheet metal corrugated at 51, and the beam 12 (not shown) is also of sheet metal.