US1054045A

US1054045A - Supporting device for two-wheeled vehicles.

Info

Publication number: US1054045A
Application number: US51626609A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles W Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1909-09-04
Filing date: 1909-09-04
Publication date: 1913-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 1930-02-25

Description

0. W. SMITH. SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR TWO WHEBLED VEHIGLES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4, 1909.

3 SHEET8BEEET 1.

Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

Inveniur I 01? w. dwM E7 75 -F32 4- M,

Au s.

\zx/iinasse sz G. W. SMITH. SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR TWO WHEELED VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4, 1909.

Patented Feb, 25, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

z fi J W t 5 w. M 5 M m 5 m a mum H M g m I E u 6 Xzs/iines 5E5 C. W. SMITH. SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR TWO WHEELED VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4, 1909.

Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

s BHEBTS-BHEET 3.

Invenfur By 75M.-.%- Wag Airh for Two-VVheeled Vehicles, of which the follibrium.

upon which they bear with a yielding. pres- CHARLES W. SMITH,

0F BEDFOBD, OHIO.

SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR TWO-WHEELED VEHICLES.

To all "whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES W. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bedford', in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Supporting Devices lowing is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to motor cycles, and it-has for its object the production of a device of that character which is adapted for commercial delivery and for maintaining its upright position when stationary or when running at a speed such as would ordinarily not permit the vehicle to maintain its equi- More specifically stated, t-he object of the invention is to provide a motor cycle with a package carrier of large caacity, the cycle being provided with side w eels, which are preferably connected to the package carrier, and with means for lifting said wheels out of contact with the ground or for forcing the wheels into contact with the ground,

sure.

- Other objects of the invention will be set forth in the following specification, which is descriptive of the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a motor cycle that is provided with my invention; Fig.2 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking in a direction of the arrows thereon; Fig. 3 is a detailed view in section of a portion of the package carrierfFig. 4 is a section taken through the mechanism for controlling the side wheels of the motor cycle, the section being taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5; Fig.- 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 and showing other features of construction; Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4; and Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are detail views showing a somewhat modified construction.

Taking up a fuller description of the id vention by the use of reference characters, 1 represents the package carrier which is mounted upon the frame of the cycle between the iuain wheels 2 and 3. The frame of the cycle consists of a horizontal tube or Specification of Letters Patent. Application f led September 4, 1909. Serial No.

rear end to the tube 8 tubes shown in dotted bar 4 which connects the tube 5 for the.

Patented Feb. 25,1913. 516,286.

steering rod carrying the forks for the front wheel 2', with the tube 6 for the saddle post; of the tube 7 extending substantially parallel with and above the tube 4, said tube 7 being also secured to the tube 5 and to a vertical tube 8 in which the steering shaft!) is j ournaled; of a tube 10 which extends substantially parallel with and below the tube 4, said, tube 10 bein below the axles of the wheels 2 and 3 an beingconnected at'its and at its front end to a vertical tube 11 which issecured at its upper end to the tube 7; of a diagonal tube 12 which connects the tube 11 with the tube 5 at the lower end of the latter; of a diagonal tube 12 which connects with the tube 11 at substantially the same point as the tube 12,

and which is connected with the tube 4 near the center of the package carrier; of a tube 12 which is connected with the tube 4 at the point of attachment of the tube 12 therewith, and extends downwardly and rearwardly, being connected with the diamond frame at the rear endof the tube 10, the point of attachment of the tube .10 andiQ not being shown in the drawing; of

diagonal tubes

13 and 13 which are connected to the tube 4 near the center of the packa e carrier and which extend fo'rwardlyan rearwardly, respectively, and are attached to the tube 7. At the up or and lower extended end of the tube 6 or the saddle post, the ordinary frame rods 14 and 15 extend rearwardly, forming forks on opposlte sides of the rear wheel 3 in which the rear axle 16 is mounted. The various tubes may be secured together in any suitable manner, as by brazing, or the diagonal tubes 12*, 12 3.18 and 13 may be secured to the tube 4 by means of a suitable clamp or collar 17, as indicated in Fig. 1.

The package carrier is supported upon the frame ust at the rear of the front wheel, the carrier extending on each side of the various tubes lying substantially in a vertical plane which bisects the package carrier, as shown in Fig. i2. The rods, 7, 8, 10 and 11, form a substantially rectangular frame which is snugly inclosed by the package carrier, said carrier being secured to the tubes in any suitable way so as to prevent rattlin and vibration. Preferably the bottom of t 1e package carrier is concaved on its inner side, as shown. so as to cause the packages therein to lines in Fig. 1, said 7 gravitate toward the center of the carrier and thus assist in preserving the equilibrium of the cycle. .\s the bottom of the carrier is below the axles of the wheels 2 and 3, the center of gravity of the load is low, and stability is thus secured. The carrier is also provided with side doors. one of said doors being shown in Figs. 1 and 3 at 18, the same being hinged at if) to the main body of the carrier so as to swing outwardly. I prefer also to provide the top of the carrier with an upwardly swinging door 20, the same being hinged at 21 to the main body of the carrier. When both the

doors

18 and 20 are opened, a large opening is provided for introducing the packages into the carrier. The upper'door 20 is also provided with a head or molding 22 near its outer edges, behind which bead the upper edge of the side door 18 rests when the doors are closed, this bead holding the side door 18 in its closed position. As these motor cycles are intended for out-of-door use, rain is liable to enter the joints at the pivoted edges of the doors; and, to prevent the rain from getting into the interior of the carrier and wetting the packag s therein. 1 place on the lower side of the top receptacle below the joint for the door 20, a channeled plate which is suitably attached to the stationary parts of the receptacle. This channeled plate extends fore and aft through the carrier 1 beneath the said joint, and any water that may pass through the joint is received by this plate and conveyed outwardly through the front and rear ends of the package carrier. The jointfor the door 18 is similarly closed by a Hat plate 24: which is attached to the side wall below the door and projects upwardly inside of the latter.

The cycle is steered by the ordinary handle bar 25 which is attached to the vertical steering shaft 9, the handle bar being connected at each side of the shaft 9 through links 26 with the opposite ends of a T- shaped head 27 that is connected with the front forks of the cycle. By this construction, any rotative movement given the handTe bar is transmitted directly to the front wheel 2.

The motor cycle is driven by a mot-or of any suitable construction, the drawing showing a twocylinder engine 28 which is mounted in the frame of the cycle, said enine driving the power shaft 29. This shaft is connected through the gears 30 and 31 with the crank shaft said shaft being provided with the pedals 33. The crank shaft 32 carries an ordinary sprocket wheel, notshown, which drives the rear wheel 3 through the chain 34: and the rear sprocket wheel Of course, a chainless drive may be employed if desired.

speed. I employ side wheels 36, which are adaptcthto rest upon the ground, and which LU". also adapted to be lifted from the ground after such speed has been attained as will permit the vehicle to keep its equilibrium. These side wheels are journaled upon the steering knuckles 37, said knuckles being pivoted in the outer ends of crank arms 38, said arms being secured to the ends of a transverse rock-shaft 39, said rock-shaft being journaled in suitable bearings 1L0 ,on the rear end of the package carrier. \Vhen the shaft is turned in one direction, the wheels 36 are moved downwardly into contact with the ground, and when the shaft is moved in an opposite direction said wheels are lifted from the ground. The rod is rotated by means of a sprocket chain 41, see Figs. 1 and 5, which passes over a sprocket wheel 42 on said\rod. and over a large sprocket wheel l3 which is loosely mounted on a journal pin it of a stationary frame 4:5. This frame is secured to the tube -it at the rear of the package carrier and in front of the saddle 46. In order to secure the frame rigidly to the tube 4, I preferably provide the frame with an opening in its side, as shown in Fig. l, into which a lug 47 on the tube projects. The frame is further held to the tube by means of a cap plate 48 which is secured to the frame. the. tube being embraced between the frame and the cap plate.

In order to lift the wheels 36 from the ground, the shaft 39 has secured thereto a member 45) having an outwardly extending lug 50 with which a lug 51 on the sprocket wheel 42 is adapted to engage. \Vhen the sprocket wheel 43 is rotated in a direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 5 the

lugs

50 and 51 are engaged, and the side wheels 36 are lifted; and, when the sprocket- Wheel 43 P is turned in the reverse direction, these lugs tend to separate so as to lower the wheels to the, ground. After the wheels reach the ground, any further sprocket wheel t3 results in the separation of the

lugs

50 and 51, which further movement 1 utilize for placing spring tension upon the. rod 39, whereby the wheels 36 are caused to bear upon the ground with a yielding pressure. This result I secure by attaching one end of a coil spring 52 to the sprocket wheel l2, and the opposite end of the spring to a stationary collar 53 on the rod 3%). Any separation of the

lugs

50 and 51 results in winding up the spring 52 and in forcing the. side wheels 36 more firmly against the ground. The pressure of said wheels upon the ground is therefore con trolled by the tension of the spring 52,whi.ch spring always yields when a side wheel is run over any obstruction, this construction I permitting the vehicle to maintain its up- In order to preserve the equilibrium of the cycle when it is, at rest or running at a slow I right position. as would not be the case if the side wheels were rigidly held.

The sprocket wheel 43 is turned by a hand lever 53 which is secured, by means of a pin,

or otherwise, to the journal pin 44. This sprocket wheel is provided about a portion of its rim with an outwardly projecting flange 54, see. l igs. t and 6, said flange being provided with a plurality of notches which are adapted to receive a pawl plate 56 that is slidably mounted in the hand lever The pawl plate is normally held in en gagenient with the end notch 55 of the flange 54. the said plate being held in this position by means of a spring 57 in a socket in the hand lever, said spring surrounding a plunger pin 58 that connects at its lower end with the pawl plate and projects outwardly through the end of the handle of the lever 53, where it is provided with a knob or button 55). \Vhen the pawl plate 56 is engaged in the notch 55, and the hand lever 53 is pushed away from the saddle 46, the side wheels 36 are lifted from the ground, and are held in this position by a side grip 60 on the hand lever, said grip being pivoted at 61, and having a projecting lug 62 that is adapted to engage with a notch 63 in the edge of a stationary flange 6-t that projects from the frame t5, the said grip being pressed toward the flange 64 by a spring 65, as shown in Fig. 4:. The hand lever is normally held in its forward position with the side wheels 36 lifted by the grip 60 engaging with the said notch 63, and the pawl plate 56 is then in the notch 55. When it is desired to lower the side wheels 36, the grip 60 is moved to unlatch the same from the flange 64, whereupon the weight of the wheels 36 tends to rotate the sprocket wheel 43 and the hand lever-'53 backwardly or toward the saddle, such movement continuing until the wheels rest upon the ground. This brings the hand lever so far to the rear that any further downward movement of the wheels I36 ean best be secured by forcing the lever 53 forwardly again, suitable mechanism being interposed between the hand lever and the sprocket wheel -13 for causing the latter to continue to move in the same direction as when the hand lever was moved rearwardly. For accomplishing this result, I form on the frame 45 an in\\-ardly-e. :tending hub for the journal pin 44, said hub having a flanged extension 66, (see Fig. 5), with a notch therein into which a pawl '67 is adapted to move under the tension of a spring 68. the pawl and the spring being carried by a disk 63) that is loosely journaled on the journal pin 44. the pawl 67 moving radially in a slot 70 in the disk. Also moving radially in a slot in the sprocket wheel a3 is a member '71. said member being provided at each of its ends on opposite sides of the sprocket wheel with fingers, the finger 72 being adapted to extend beneath a corresponding finger on the pawl 67, and the finger '73 being adapted to engage with a projection 74 on the pawl plate 56.

lVhen the knob or button 59 on the plunger rod 58 is relieved from pressure and the pawl plate 56 is

opposite a'notch

55 or 55 in the flange 54, the spring 57 forces outwardly the pawl plate 56. This movement of the pawl plate results in lifting the member 71 and the pawl 67 against the tension of the spring until the latter pawl is disengaged from the notch in the flange 66. When, however, the said knob or button is depressed, the pawl plate 56 is disengaged from the flange 54: of the gear wheel, and, simul taneously, the pawl 67 is permitted to drop int-o the notch of the flange segment 66, thus locking the disk 69 against rotation. On a pin 75 that is carried by said disk I loosely journal a small spur gear '76, said gear meshing with an internal annular gear or segment 78 on the sprocket wheel 43 and with a spur pinion '79 that is keyed or otherwise secured to the journal pin 44. lVith the disk 69 locked from rotation, and the hand lever 53 disengaged from the sprocket. wheel 43, a movementof the hand lever 53 forwardly or away from the saddle, results in turning the pinion 79 and in transmitting its rotative movement through the small gear wheel 76 to the annular gear segment 78, which segment, being secured to the sprocket wheel, also turns this sprocket wheel in the same direction as that in which it formerly moved. Inasmuch as the force applied to the hand lever is exerted through the short leverage of the pinion 79 to the larger gear segment 78 of the sprocket wheel, the power is multiplied, and the sprocket wheel is caused to rotate and thus increase the tension of the spring whereby the side wheels are held downwardly against the ground.

It is desirable and is a practical necessity when the side wheels are left in contact with the ground, to steer said wheels simultaneously with the front wheel For this reason. I have secured to each of the knuckles 37 a crank arm 80. each of said arms being connected with a crank 81 on the lower end of the steering shaft 3). the crank arms and St being connected by links 82, as shown in Figs. 1. and 2. Inasmuch as the crank arms 86 turn when the wheels are lifted. the links 82 are carried upwardly and are con nected with the crank arms 80 at points coaxial with the rock shaft. 39. It willbe understood that in turning the vehicle, the front wheel 2 must be turned at a greater angle than the side wheels. This diversity of angle is secured by making the crank arms 60 of greater length than the crank 81, the proportionate length of these arms depending upon the location of the side wheels with respect to the front wheel.

The operation of the mechanism for lifting the side wheels is as follows: Normally the hand grip, 60 is in engagement with the notch 63 in the flange 64 of the stationary frame member 45, and the side wheels are in their elevated positionsr If it be desired to lower the sidewheels, the hand grip 60 is operated to release the hand lever from the said flange, and the lever 53 is then drawn rearwardly or toward the operator, this motion continuing until the side wheels are on the ground. In the meanwhile, the pawl plate 56 is in engagement with the sprocket wheel 43, the said plate projecting into the notch 55 of the flange 54, so that said sprocket wheel moves backwardly with the hand lever. Were this pawl retained in this position and the hand lever forced forwardly again, the wheels would simply be lifted from the ground. When it is desired to press the wheels against the ground, the knob or button 59 is depressed and the pawl plate 56 disengaged from the sprocket wheel. This operation simultaneously drops the pawl 67 into the notch of the flange segment 66, so that the disk 69 becomes locked to the stationary frame 45. If the hand lever be now pushed forwardly, the sprocket wheel 43 continues the movement in the same direction as formerly, the pawl plate 56 passing away from the notch 55* and out of engagement with the finger 73011 the member 71, thereby leaving the pawl 67 in engage- I ment with the flange segment 66. The hand lever may be pushed forwardly until the desired tension is placed upon the spring 52, when the knob or button 59 may be released to permit the pawl plate 56 to engage with one of the notches in the flange .54. When thus engaged, the hand lever is locked, and the side wheels'continue in contact with the ground, the pressure of the wheels upon the ground depending upon the position to which the hand lever has been moved forwardly. During all of this time, the hand grip remains out of engagementwith its notch 63. When it is desired to lift the wheels again, the knob or button 59 is depressed, the hand lever 53 is swung rearwardly until the pawl 56 enters the notch 55, at which time the

fingers

73 and 74 are in position for engagement, and the pawl 67 is disengaged from the notched segment 66. The hand lever maythen be pushed for wardly to its normal position when it becomes held by the engagement of the grip in the notch 63.

In order to prevent the shaft 39 and the arms 38 from rattling when the side wheels are lifted from the ground, I prefer to cause the said arms to press against elastic buffers 83 which are secured to the rear end of the package carrier 1. When the side wheels are lifted, the arms 38 may be pressed against the elastically-tipped ends of these buffers and the parts thus prevented from rattling.

A the sprocket wheel.

roeaoaa In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 I have shown a somewhat modifled construction in which the flange 64 of the frame member 45 is dis-' pensed with and the flange 54 of the sprocket wheel 43 is somewhat extended, in order that the arms 38 .may be pressed against the buffers 83 more firmly by a reverse movement of the hand lever 53 in the samemanner as has been previously described with respect to the manner of pressing the side wheels against the ground. In said figures, the

reference numerals

4, 44, 45, 47, 48, 53, 56, 57, 58, 59, 67, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78 and 79 designate the same identical parts as in the other figures and need not be further referred to.

The larger sprocket wheel 43 is provided with an extended flange 54 see Fig. 8, the shoulder or lug adjacent thenotch or opening 55 of Fig. 6 being omitted. The flange 54 isprovided with a notch 55 into which the pawl plate 56 projects when the wheels merely rest upon the ground, said notch 55 having the same function as the notch 55 in the form previously described. The operation of pressing the side wheels upon the ground is precisely the same as that of the other form, the pawl 67 taking into a notch in the flanged segment 66. Instead, however, of the hand lever53 being provided with a side grip for engaging in the stationary member for holding the side wheels elevated, the flanged segment 66 is provided with an additional notch 84, into which the said pawl 67 may be caused to engage when the side wheels are lifted until the arms 38 first engage with the'bufiers 83. It will be understood, of course, that this pawl 67 will beheld out of such engagement until the knob 01' button 59 isdepressed. Upon swinging the hand lever 53 forwardly until the pawl 67 is opposite the notch 84, the depression of the knob or button 59 results in causing the pawl 67 to engage in said notch 84, whereupon a backward movement of the hand lever results in continuing the movement of the sprocket 'wheel 43 in the same direction as that in which it had previously moved, whereby the arms 38 are pressed tightly against the said buffers. The backwardly swinging movement of the hand lever carries the member 72 away from the pawl 67 so that the knob or button 59 may be released without disengaging the pawl from its notch 84.

When the desired pressureagainst the buffers is secured, the knob 59 may be released to permit the pawl plate 56 to enter a notch 55 in the flange 54 of the sprocket wheel. In this construction I have eliminated the flange 64 of the stationary frame member, and the side grip on the hand lever, and have merely added in their stead a somewhat longer extension on the flange" of The mechanism has thus been simplified and cheapened; and, by reversing the movement of the hand lever, I am enabled to .press the arms 38 against the buffers more tightly than in the first form described.

While the drawings do not show the same, I contemplate connecting the driving engine or motor with the crank shaft through means of a clutch, so that the engine may be started before the load of the vehicle is thrown upon it. This, however, I find to be old in the art, and I make no claim for the same.

While I have shown and described what is at present my preferred embodiment of my invention, I realize that the details of the mechanism shown and described may be varied without departing from the principle of my invention, and I desire it to be understood that the following claims are not intended to be limited to such details any further than is rendered necessary by the specific terms therein employed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels which are arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels arranged to rest upon the ground at opposite sides of said track, a rock shaft, arms secured to said shaft and carryin the side wheels, a member secured to sai shaft, a member loosely journaled upon the shaft, a spring connecting said members and means for rotating the latter member whereby the side wheels may be lifted from the ground when the said latter member is turned in one direction or may be pressed against the ,ground when the latter member is turned in the opposite direction, the spring holding the side wheels against the ground with a *(vieldin g pressure.

2. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels which are arranged one behindthe other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels arranged to rest upon the ground at opposite sides of said track, a rock shaft, arms secured to said shaft and carrying the side wheels, a member secured to said shaft. a

' wheel loosely journaled upon the shaft, a

spring connecting said member and said wheel, means for rotating the said wheel whereby the side wheels may be lifted from the ground when the said loosely journaled wheel is turned in one direction or may be pressed against the ground when'the latter wheel is turned in the opposite direction,-

and means for holding the latter wheel in different positions, whereby the side wheels may be caused to bear against the ground with variable pressures.

3. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels which are arranged "one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels arranged to bear upon the ground on oppusite sides of said track, means for forcing the said side wheels into contact with the ground so as to support said vehicle in upright position and to draw up said wheels out of contact with the ground and a spring interposed in said-means for causing the side wheels to bear upon the ground with a yielding pressure.

4. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels which are arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels arranged to bear upon the ground on opposite sides of said track, means for forcing the said side wheels into contact with the ground, a spring interposed in said means for causing the side wheels to bear upon the ground with a yielding pressure, and mechanism cooperating with said means for holding the latter in different positions,

whereby the tension of the spring may be varied. 5. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels which are arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track. of a pair of side wheels which are adapted to bear upon the ground at opposite sides of said track, a hand lever, and connections between the hand lever and the ground wheels whereby a movement of the hand lever in one direction moves the side wheels into contact with the ground, said connections including mechanism for increasing the pressure of the side wheels upon the ground-when the hand lever is moved in the opposite direction.

6. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels which are arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels arranged to bear upon the ground on opposite sides of the track, a rock shaft, a pair of arms projecting from said shaft, each arm carrying a side wheel, a sprocket wheel loosely journaled on said shaft, a spring surrounding the shaft and having its opposite ends connected respectively with the sprocket wheel and the shaft, a hand lever.

and gearing connecting the hand lever with the sprocket whcel for turning the latter on the shaft, whereby the shaft may be turned and the spring placed under tension for holding the side wheels against the ground with a yielding pressure.

7. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels which are arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels arranged to bear upon the ground on opposite sides of the track, a rock shaft, an arm at each end of the shaft, each arm carrying a side wheel, a sprocket wheel loosely jour- I to the shaft, a spring surroun ingthe shaft and having its opposite ends connected re spectively with the sprocket wheel and the collar, a hand lever, gearing connecting the hand lever with the sprocket wheel for turning the latter on the shaft whereby the shaft may be turned and the spring placed under tension for holding the side wheels against the ground with a yielding pressure. and means for holding the hand lever in difien ent positions for varying the tension of the spring.

8. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels that are arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of.a rock shaft, a pair of arms projecting from said shaft. each of saidarms carrying a side wheel that is located at one side of the track of the ground wheels, a driven wheel carried by the shaft for turning the latter, a stationary frame member, a driving wheel journaled on said frame member, mechanism connecting the driving and the driven wheels together, a hand lever, a pawl carried by said lever and adapted to engage directly with the driving wheel to turn the latter when the hand lever is moved in one direction, means for disconnecting said pawl from the driving wheel and mechanism controlled by said pawl for establlshing an indirect connection between the hand lever and the said driving wheel for contmuing the rotation of the latter in the same direction when the movement of the handlever is reversed, whereby the side wheels may he forced against the ground by a hack and forth movement of the hand lever.

Q. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels that are arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a rock shaft, an arm secured to each end of the shaft, each of said arms carrying a side wheel, a sprocket wheel journaled on the shaft for turning the latter, a spring connecting the sprocket wheel with the rock shaft, a stationary frame member, a second sprocket wheel joarnaled on said frame member, a sprocket chain gearing the sprocket wheels together, a hand lever for engaging directly with the second sprocket wheel toturn the latterwhen the hand lever is moved in one direction, means for disconnecting said pawl from the sprocket wheel and mechanisi n controlled by said pawl for estabhshlng an indirect connection between the hand lever and the said second sprocket wheel for continuing the rotation of the latter in the same direction when the move ment of the hand lever is reversed, where by the shaft may be rocked to tighten the spring and to force the sidewheels against the ground with a yielding pressure.

noses 10. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels which are adapted to travel one behind the other, a side wheel arranged at each side of the vehicle, a rock shaft, a pair of arms connected to said shaft, each arm carrying one of said side wheels, a sprocket wheel carried by said shaft for turning the latter and for lifting or depressing the side wheels, a stationary frame member having a notch therein, a journal pin mounted in said frame member, a disk and a second sprocket wheel loosely journaled on the said pin, a sprocket chain connecting said sprooket wheels, a pinion secured to the journal pin, a gear wheel carried bV the said disk and meshing with the said pinion, an internal gear secured to the second sprocket wheel and also meshing with the said gear wheel, a hand lever secured-to the journal pin, a pawl carried by the-hand lever and adapted to engage di rectly with the second sprocket wheel for turning the latter, a pawl carried by the disk and adapted to engage with the notch in the frame member for locking the disk against rotation and means for disconnecting the pawl on the hand lever from the sprocket wheel and for simultaneously connecting the pawl on the disk with the frame member whereby the movement of the hand lever and of the pinion on the pivot in one direction results in moving the second sprocket wheel in the opposite direction.

11. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels which are adapted to travel one behind the other, a side wheel arranged at each side of the vehicle, a rock shaft, a pair of arms connected to said shaft, each arm carrying one of said side wheels, a sprocket wheel carried by said shaft for turning the latter and for lifting or depressing the side wheels, a spring connecting the sprocket wheel with the shaft, a stationary frame member having a notch therein, a journal pin mounted in said frame member, a disk and a'second sprocket wheel loosely journaled on the said pin, a sprocket chain connecting said sprocket Wheels, a pinion secured tothe journal pin disk, a gear'wheel carried by the said disk and meshing with the said pinion, an internal gear secured to the second sprocket wheel and also meshing with the said gear wheel, a hand lever secured to the journal pin, a pawl carried by the hand lever and sprocket wheel for turningthe latter, a pawl carried by the disk and adapted to engage with the notch in the frame member for locking the disk against rotation and means for disconnecting the pawl on the hand multaneously connecting the pawl on the disk with the frame member Whereby the between the second sprocket wheel and the adapted to engage directly with the second lever from the sprocket wheel and for si-' movement of the hand lever and of the pinion on the pivot pin in one direction results in moving the second wheel in the opposite direction, and in thus placing tension on said spring for pressing the side wheels against the ground.

12. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels arranged one behind the other so that theymay travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels. said wheels being arranged on opposite sides of said track, a rock shaft, a pair of arms projecting from said shaft, each of said arms carrying one of the side wheels, a sprocket wheel loosely journaled on the said shaft, a

; lug projecting from the said shaft, :1 lug projecting from the said sprocket wheel and adapted to engage the lug on the shaft to I turn the latter and lift the side wheels when the sprocket wheel is turned in one direction, a spring connecting the said sprocket wheel with the shaft whereby the side wheels are held against the ground with a yielding pressure whenthe sprocket wheel is turned in the opposite direction and means for rotating said sprocket wheel in either direction desired.

' 13. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels arranged one behind the other so that they may travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels, said wheels being arranged on opposite sides of said track, a rock shaft, a pair of arms projecting from said shaft, each of said arms carrying one of the side wheels, a sprocket wheel loosely journalcd on the said shaft, a lug projecting from the said shaft, alug projecting from the sprocket wheel and adapted to engage the lug on the shaft to turn the latter and lift the side wheels when said sprocket wheel is turned in one direction, a

- spring connecting the sprocket wheel with 1 the shaft whereby the side wheels are held against the ground with a yielding pressure when the sprocket wheel is turned in the opposite direction, means for rotating said sprocket wheel in either direction desired, and means for holding the sprocket wheel in different positions so that the side wheels may be held in elevated position or may be pressed against the ground with different degrees of pressure.

14. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels that are arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels arranged to bear upon the ground on opposite sides of said trunk, means for turning the front ground wheel for steering the vehicle and connections between said means and the side wheels, whereby the front wheel and the twoside wheels are simultaneously turned.

15. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels that are arranged one behind the other and adapted to'travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels arranged to bear upon the ground on opposite sides of said track, means for turning the front ground wheel for steering the vehicle, connections between said means and the side wheels, whereby the front wheel and the two side wheels are simultaneously turned, and means for causing the side wheels to bear upon the ground with a yielding pressure.

16. In a. vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels that are arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels, the side wheels being arranged on opposite sides of the said track, a rock shaft, a pair of arms secured to the rock shaft, a steeringknuckle on each of said arms, each of said knuckles having one of the side wheels jour naled thereon, a handle bar, a rod to which said bar is attached, a crank on said rod. means connecting said crank with each of the said steering-knuckles and means connecting the handle bar with the front wheel on the.vehicle whereby, when the handle bar is turned, the said front wheel and each of the side wheels are turned fol 'rteering the vehicle.

17. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels that are arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels, the side wheels being of the said track, a rock shaft, a pair of arms secured to the rock shaft, a steeringknuckle on each of said arms, each of said knuckles having one of the side wheels journaled thereon, a handle bar, a rod to which said bar is attached, a crank on'said rod, means connecting said crank with each of the said steering knuckles, means connecting the handle bar with the front wheel on the vehicle whereby, when the handle bar is turned, the said front wheel and each of the side wheels are turned for steering the vehicle, and means for causing the side wheels to bear upon the ground with a yielding pressure. 7

18. In a vehicle, a pair of ground wheels arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels, said side wheels beingarranged upon opposite sides of the vehicle, a rock shaft, a pair of arms extending from said rock shaft, each of said arms carrying one of the side wheels, means for rocking said shaft in either direction and a spring interposed between said means and the shaft, whereby the side wheels may be'caused to bear upon the ground with a yielding pressure.

19. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels that are arranged: one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels. there being one side wheel at each side of the vehicle and means r simultaneous arranged on opposite sides turnin the front ground wheel and each of the si e wheels whereby the vehicle may be properly steered.

20. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels that are arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a pair of side wheels, there being one side wheel at each side of the vehicle, means for turning the front ground wheel, and connections between said means and the side wheels for turning the latter simultaneously with the front wheel but at a smaller angle, whereby the vehicle is properly steered.

21. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, and a frame supported thereby, of a pair of side wheels, there being one of theside wheels at each side of the vehicle, a rock shaft journaled on the said frame, means connecting said rock shaft with the side wheels, a rocking member loose on the shaft, a spring connecting said member with the shaft, and means for rocking said member in either direction whereby the side wheels may be lifted from the ground or may be pressed against the ground with a yielding pressure.

22. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels that are arranged one behind the other and are adapted to travel in the same track, a frame for the vehicle mounted upon said wheels, a rock shaft journaled upon the said frame, a air of arms projecting from said rock sha t, a side wheel for and carried by each of said arms, means for rocking said rock shaft in either direction whereby the side wheels may be lifted from the ground or may be pressed against the ground and mechanisms connecting the front wheel with each of the side wheels for simultaneously turning said wheels in steering the vehicle.

23. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels that are arranged one behind the other and are adapted to travel in the same track, a frame for the vehicle mounted upon said wheels, a receptacle for packages mounted upon and secured to said frame, a rock shaft journaled upon the said receptacle. a pair of arms projecting from said rock shaft, a side wheel for and carried by each of said arms, a sprocket wheel loosely journaled on said shaft. a spring connecting the sprocket wheel with the shaft, means for turning the sprocket wheel in either direction, whereby the side wheels may be lifted from the ground or may be pressed against the ground with a yielding pressure, and mechanisms connecting the front wheel with each of the side wheels for simultaneously turning said wheels in steering the vehicle.

24. In a vehicle. the combination with a Lemma pair of ground wheels arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a frame for the vehicle mounted upon the said wheels, a package carrier mounted upon and secured to the said frame, a rock shaft, a pair of arms projecting from the rock shaft, a side wheel carried by each of said arms, the side wheels being arranged on opposite sides of the vehicle, a sprocket wheel loosely journaled on the rock shaft, projections on the rock shaft and on the sprocket wheel, said projections being adapted to engage each other when the sprocket wheel is turned in one direction for rocking the shaft and lifting the side wheels off the ground, a spring surrounding the said shaft and connected at its opposite ends to the shaft and to the sprocket Wheel, a stationary member mounted upon the frame, said member having a projecting flange and a hub, the flange and hub each being provided with a single notch therein, a pivot pin journaled in said member, a second sprocket wheel loosely journaled on said pin, said second sprocket wheel having a projecting flange with a series of notches therein, a sprocket chain connecting the two sprocket wheels 'to gether, a hand leverrigidly secured to the pivot pin, a spring pressed grip lever pivoted to the hand lever and adapted to engage with the notch in the said flange of the member, a pawl plate slidably mounted on the hand lever, said pawl plate being adapted to engage with the notches in the flan e of the second sprocket wheel, a disk looseIy journaled on the pivot pin between the second sprocket wheel and said disk, a small gear wheel journaled on the said disk and meshing with the said pinion, an internal annular gear secured to the second sprocket wheel and also meshing with the small gear on the disk, a spring pressed pawlslidably' mounted in the disk and adapted to engage with the notch in the hub of the said member, means carried by the second sprocket wheel and adapted to engage both the pawl plate and the pawl on the disk, and a plunger, carried by the hand lever and secured to the pawl plate thereon, the construction being such that when the pawl plate en- 7 gages with the sprocket wheel and the hand lever is pushed in one direction until the hand grip engages in the flange of the said member the side wheels are lifted and held from the ground, and when the hand lever is moved in the opposite direction with the pawl plate in engagement with the sprocket. wheel the side wheels are lowered to the ground, after which a depression of the plunger disconnects the pawl plate from the sprocket wheel and causes the pawl on the disk to engage with the hub of the member so that a reverse movement of the hand lever results in continuing the movement ofthe second sprocket wheel in the same direction, winds up the spring on the rock shaft and thereby forces the side wheels against the ground with a yielding pressure.

25. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels arranged one behind the other and adapted to travel in the same track, of a frame for the vehicle mounted upon. the said wheels, a package carrier mounted upon and secured to the said frame, a rock shaft journaled on the rear end of the package carrier, a pair of arms projecting from the rock shaft, a steering knuckle for and pivoted to each of said arms, a side wheel journaled upon each of said steering knuckles, the side wheels being arranged on opposite sides of the vehicle, a sprocket wheel loosely journaled on the rock shaft, projections on the rock shaft and on the sprocket wheel, said projections being adapted to engage each other when the sprocket wheel .is turned in one direction for rocking the shaft and lifting the side wheels off the ground, a spring surrounding the said shaft and connected at its opposite ends to the shaft and to the sprocket wheel, a stationary member mounted upon the frame, said member having a projecting flange and a hub, the flange and hub each being provided with a single notch therein, a pivot pin journaled in said member, a second sprocket wheel loosely journaled on said pin, said second wheel having a projecting flange with a series of notches therein, a sprocket chain connecting the two sprocket wheels to gether, a hand lever rigidly secured to the pivot pin, a spring pressed grip lever pivoted to the hand lever and adapted to engage with the notch in the said flange of the member, a pawl plate slidably mounted on the hand lever, said pawl plate being adapted to engage with the notches in the flange of the second sprocket wheel, a disk loosely journaled on the pivot pin, a pinion rigidly secured to the pivot pin between the second sprocket wheel and said disk, a small gear wheel journaled on the said disk and meshing with the said pinion, an internal annular gear segment secured to the second sprocket wheel and also meshing with the small gear on the disk, spring pressed pawl slidably mounted in the disk and adapted to engage with the notch in the hub of the said member, means carried by the second sprocket wheel and adapted to engage both the pawl plate and the pawl on the disk, a plunger carried by the hand lever and secured to the pawl plate thereon, the construction being such that when the pawl plate engages with the sprocket wheel and is pushed in one direction un il the hand grip engages in the flange of the said member the side wheels are lifted and held from the ground, and when the hand lever is moved in the opposite direction with the pawl plate in engagement with the sprocket wheel the side wheels are lowered to the ground, after which a depression of the plunger disconnects the pawl plate from the sprocket wheel and causes the pawl on the disk to engage with the hub of the member so that a reverse movement of the hand lever results in continuing the movement of the second sprocket wheel in the same direction, winds up the spring on the rock-shaft and thereby forces the side wheels against the ground with a yielding pressure, and means connecting the front ground wheel and the said steering knuckles for simultaneously turning the front wheel and the side wheels.

26. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels that are arranged one behind the other and are adapted to travel in the same track, a frame for the vehicle mounted upon said wheels, a receptacle for packages mounted upon and secured to said frame, a rocleshaft journaled upon the said receptacle, a pair of arms projecting from said rock-shaft, a side wheel for and carried by each of said arms, means for rocking said shaft for lifting the side wheels from the ground and elastic buffers on the receptacle against which the said pair of arms are adapted to be pressed for preventing the parts from rattling.

27. In a vehicle, the combination with a pair of ground wheels that are arranged one behind the other and are adapted to travel in the same track, a frame for the vehicle mounted upon said wheels, a recep tacle for packages mounted upon and secured to said frame, a rock-shaft journaled upon said receptacle, a pair of arms projecting from said rock-shaft, a side wheel for and carried by each of said arms, means for rocking said shaft for lifting the ground wheels, a pair of elastic buffers carried by the receptacle against which the said pair of arms on the rock-shaft may be pressed for preventing the parts from rattling, and mechanism connecting the front wheel with each of the side wheels for simultaneously turning said wheels in steering the vehicle.

In testimony whereof, Z hereunto my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES W. SItilTFf. Vitnesses:

JAs. l/Vnsr, BRENNAN B. Wasr.