US1065011A - Sleigh attachment for power-driven vehicles. - Google Patents

Description

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A. VBTTBL, Jn. SLEIGH ATTAOEHENT Eon POWER DRIVER VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED KAY 10, 1912.

Patented June 17, 1913 6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. VETTBL, JB. SLEIGH ATTACHMENT POR POWER DRIVER VEHICLES.

v APPLICATION FILED MAY l0, 1912. 1,065,01 1

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ArrLxouIon rILnn nu 1o. 1912.

1,065,01 1. Patented AJun@ 17,1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

A. VBTTEL, JR. SLEIGH ATTACHMENT FOR POWER DRIVEN VEHICLES.

APPLICATION rILED lAY1o,1912

1,065,01 1 Patented June 17, 1913.

WITNIISEB .Qw @Mw A. VETTBL, JR. SLEIGH ATTACHMENT FOR POWER DRIVBN VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED MAY 1o. 1912.

Patented June 17, 1913.

6 SHEETSSHBET 5.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1912. 1,065,01 1 Patented June 17, 1913.

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ITNESSES INVENTOR fx/ M @W www,

ANDREW VETTEL, JR., F SANDUSKY. OHIO.

SLEIGH ATTACHMENT FOR POWER-DBIVEN VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters ratent.

`Patented .iu/ne 17.191 3.

Application filed May l0. 1912. Serial No. 696,483.

l T o all fwlifom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, AANDREW VETTEL, Jr., a citizen of the United States, and residing in the city of Sandusky, inthe county of Erieand State of Ohio, have invented or discovered new and useful Improvements in Sleigh Attachments for Power-Driven Ve-V hicles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of'new and useful improvements in sleigh-attachments for power-driven vehicles, such, forV instance, as automobiles vvand automobile-trucks.

My object is to provide means whereby r sleigh-runners may be expeditiously and inexpensively substituted for the wheels of a power-driven vehicle, adapting the latter without further alteration for travel on snow or ice, o r both. To accomplish this purpose, l substitute for the rear or drivingv wheels a pair of power-runners which are mountable on' thespindles or ends of the driving-axle of the vehicle without change in the latter'. and which are provided with tractor-chains actuated by said driving-axle and adapted to engage the ground to propel the vehicle either forwardly or backwardly as may be desired. Means are provided for raising vsaidtractor-chains out of contact with the ground and for locking the same iii their raised position so that'the vehicle may coast. as for instance in descending a hill. For the front or steering wheels of the vehicle l substitute non-power-driven or steering runners which are connected with the usual `steering mechanism for control ling the direction of travel.

any novel features of structure andarrangeinent of parts will appear from the follou-'iiig description. i

ln the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a side elevation of one of my power-runners. the inside sideplate and the adjacent .eccentric mechanism being removed for the salte of clem-ness and the tractor-chain being shown in its depressed (ii-'operative position; Fig. Q is a vertical section of the runner along the line Il-ll in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 3

`is a similar view along the line III-Hlm Fig. l. looking in the diiectioi'ioi the arrow:

t is a side elevation showing the rear .p i 1 tracto! sprocket and tee method oi mounting t. n same: Fig. 5 is a iront eievir tion oi' one of the power-runners; Fig. (3 is aire fwrai linjsiioiving the inner' face ci one of the side plates ofsaid runner and the eccentric-controlling disks Yadjacent thereto; Fig. 7 is a broken elevation showing a portion of the outer face of one of said the tractor-shoes7 a plurality of which are linked together to forni the tractor-chain ot' the runner; Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the controlling,r` mechanism t'or the power runners Fig. 12 is a side elevation ot the same; Fig. 13 is a side elevation of one of the front or steering-runnersi Fig. 14 is aplan view showing said runners mounted on either end of the `front or nondfrivingaxle and connected with the usual steering-gear. and Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail in elevation showing tine method of lat'- erally bracing one of Said steering runners.

he following iS a detailed description of thedrawings. which, ho'wevei. are merely intended to illustrate a practical embodiment of the principles of my invention and not to limit the scope of the same tothe structures shown. A

Referring first to Figs. 1-.12, inclusive, which relate to the power-runners to be substituted for the driving-wheels of the vehicle. the runner illustrated in Figs. 1-9, inclusive, is that substituted for the right hand driving-wheel, the left hand runner being identical in structure except for the necessary reversa-l of a portion of the parts. ln said figures 1 represents one end or spindle of the driving-axle from which the wheel is removed. 2 2 are the vertical side plates of the runner connected together by webs` or cross-braces 3-3 to stiften the structurel The lower, longitudinal edges of plates 2 2 are provided with shoes 4-4 which Contact with and slide along the snow or ice. Said shoes are preferably provided with longitudinah angular projections or ribs 5Y 5 to prevent slridding-or side-slipping. The side plates Q--Q are provided adjacent to the rear ends with a pair of alined .annular plates 9-9 the eounten' sunt; edges lll-10 of the eccentrics :M7 and secured to the side plates 2-2 byscrews further rotation of the 11-11. Anti-friction members or balls 12---12 are interposed between the edges of eccentrics 7--7 and the edges of openings 6-6. 13---13 are controlling-disks fixed to the inner faces of eccentrics 7-7.

The eccentrics'7--7 are provided with eclcentrically placed apertures v1li-14 which areV fitted with ball-bearings 15-15 through which is inserted t-he axle 1 in a manner identical to that in which the spindle or end of said axle is inserted in the wheel. The usual cap or nut 16 is secured to the end of the axle 1 to prevent the escape of the axle from the runner. The cap or nut used to secure the wheel in place is alsol used for the similar purpose of securing the power-runner in lplace on the axle.

It is evident that the rotation of the disks 13-13 in the proper `direction, carrying with them the eccentrics 7 7, will act to raise or lower the axle 1 in relation to the side plates 2--2. Suitable bea-rings 17.--17 are interposed between the axle'1 and the central bores ofthe disks 13-13.

To limit the arc of rotation of the eccen- "trics 7-'7 I provide the same with radial fingers 18 which move in arc-shaped recesses in the plates 9--9, the contact of the tooth with either end of said recess preventing y eccentric in that direction.

Rigidly mounted on axle 1 within the side plates 2-2 is the driving-chain sprocket 19.

lMounted on said axle adjacent',` to said sprocket V19 is a block 20, ball-bearings 21 being interposed between the .axle and said vblock to prevent interference with the rotary movement of said axle.

22 is a non-rotating wheel provided with a vertical recess or opening 23 in the upper portion of which is seated the block 20, a coiled spring24 being interposed between said block and the bottom of said recess to normally keep said b'lock in its elevated position but permitting ity tov be depressed in said recessy against the action of said springs in case of asudden jar or jolt. Thus means are provided for the assumption of such jolts or jars as might otherwise be transferred between the axle and the runner to the injury of either.

25 is an annular tractor-chain sprocket mounted to rotate on the perimeter of wheel 22, ,ball-bearings 26 being interposed between the same to avoid friction. The sprocket 25 is provided with two annular series of teeth, 27-27, on theI edges thereof, and an elevated, rounded edge 28 between said two series of teeth.

29 is a transverse shaft or spindle mount-` ed in advance of axle 1 and in a similar manner.

The side plates-2-2 are provided with a pair of alined circular openings 30-30 inV each of which is mounted an eccentric or, ball-bearings 32-32 being inter osed betwee-n said eccentrics and the si e plates. The eccentrics are held in place by means of outside annular plates 33--33 and inside an- 70 nular plates. y

35-.-35 are controlling disks, similar to disks 13-13, secured to the inner faces of plates 34-34 secured to said side eccentrics 31-31 and mounted on shaft 29 by means of ball-bearings 36-36. It is evident that the rotation of disks 35-35 will elevate or depress the shaft 29. The arc of rotation of eccentrics 31-31 is limited in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 8 in 80 connection with eccentrics 7--7.

37 is a secondl tractor-chain sprocket mounted to rotate freely on shaft 29 by means of ball-bearings 38-38, and provided with two annular edge series ofv sprocket 8.5

teeth 39-39 and an intermediate elevated, rounded edge 40.

41 is a driving-chain sprocket secured to Vthe face of sprocket 37 and rotating there- The sprocket 41 is preferably of somewhat 9.-',

larger diameter than sprocket 19 to reduce the rate of rotation.

43-43 represent a series of tractor-shoes which are linked together" at their adjacent ends by means of pairs of links tIAL-44 to 10o form an lendless tractor-chain which is mounted on the tractor- chain sprockets 25 and 37, the teeth 27.-27 and 39e-39 meshing between the pairs of links lts-44, as r shown. It is thus evident that rotation in either direction may be applied to thetractor-chain fromthe'axle 1. The end walls of the shoes 43--43 are cut away to form the rounded apertures45-45 which are engaged by the rounded edges 28 and 40 of the 110 Sprockets 25 and 37, respectively. The shoes iii-43 are preferably provided with laterally eonvexed outer faces having a central` longitudinal interrupted fin or. series of teeth 46--46 and conical projections 47--47 115 to enable the shoes to bite into the snow or ice.

48-48 and 49-19 represent pairs of standards mounted by means -of ball-bearings 50-50 on axle 1 and shaft 29, respec- 120 tively, between the disks 13-13 and 35i-35. Said standards are connected longitudinally by top-braces 51 and 'side-braces 51a at either side, and transversely by cross-braces 52, thus forming a rigid frame mounted on said axle and said shaft but not interfering with the rotation of the axle.

53- is an idler-wheel journaled between the parallel braces .51 by means of its shaft engaging holes 54 in said braces. Said wheel 130 ,of the Wheel 53.

A guidelate is secured at its ends to the' left hand face' of Wheel 22 as shown in Fig. 3, embracing the adjacent standard 48, as shown in Fi L 4, and slides lvertically on Seid Standard., Permitting vertical and preventing rotary movement of said wheel 22.

In the upper ends of standard 48H48 is journaled a transverse rock-shaft 56 and a similar rock-shaft 57 is journaled in the upper ends of standards ML-49.

i58-58 are a pair of upwardly extending arms rigidly mounted on shaft 5.6' and 59-59 are. a similar pair of arms on shaft 57. Each arm 58 is connected t0 the oppGS.- ing arm 59 by pivotally attached links 60.Y Outside of the inside side plate 2 a double ended rocking-arm 6l is rigidly mounted at its center on rock-shaft 56, the purpose of which arm Will be explained later,

(i2-62J represent pairs of double ended rocking-arms rigidly mounted lat their reuters on the shafts 56 and 57. The arms 62-62 on the shaft 56 are connected by pivotally attached links 63-63 to the inner faeeS ef disks 13H13 at either side of the centers of the latter, and' similar links (3363 connectthe arms t2-62 of the shaft 57 with the disks 35---35- It is evident that by rocking the shaft 56 in the proper diret:- tion, the disks 1.313 and Swl may he turned, Within the limits of their are of rotation, to either raise or lower the axle l and.. shaft 29 in relationto side lates 2 2., and' thus either raise or lower t e tractor-chain out ot orinto its o erative .oition To enable me to ook the raCtor-ehain in its raised or inoperative. position. l provide thel outer farethat is tlie face adjacent to the, side plate 2 of the inner disk 13 With an' angular tooth 64 which. when said disk is turned to tlie position which it assumes when the tractor-chain is raised out ot itsl operative position, is engaged hy a spring.;- pawl 65 mounted on the inner fare ot sido plate 2 and controlled hy a rod 66 iivoted at its upper end by means of a .slot to an arm 67' rigidly mounted on a. transverse rook-shaft 68 iturnaled 0n longitudinal braces 31-51. 69 is/an arm rigidly mounted on the inner end of said shaft 68 and extending 'downwardly outside of the runner. Said arm is provided with a transverse oui-ved slot 70, and the purpose of the sanie will he later explained.

To steady and assist the raising and louA eringl action ot the eet'entries, l rigidly mount ori-the r0ckshafts 56 and .3T cams .top-piatta and vertirai 71-71 which bear upon the top edges of the side plates 2--Q and are provided with edge ilanges '(2-72 which hear against the inside fares tlf said sido plates to prevent the Cams slipping from engagement With the top edges thereof.

Referring pa rtioularly to Figs. il and 12, T3 is a rook-shaft. iournaled transversely in advanee ot the power-runuers in the frame of the vehicltu not shown. and provided at v its ends with rigidly mounted double ended arms 74-74 which are oounerted hy pi\- otally eonnet'ted rods Tie with the ends of the double ended arms 6l ot the tno power-runners. T6 is an upwardly extend ing rigid arm mounted on shaft Til and ooo neetetl hy link 7T with a handdever TS. plated eonronielltly to the hand ot' the chauffeur. The lever 78 is preferably provided ivitli a looking-quadrant 79. It thus evident. that the` elianifeur, hy means otl hand-lerer 78, may throw the `trartor-t'haiu into or out of its .operative position at. will. 8l) is a second transversely mounted shaft. also journaled in the vehicle frame and provided at its ends With downwardly exif-.ntlY ing rigidly mounted arms Sldl whirl; are oonneoted hy pivotally attached rods 8; to the slotted ends of arms (it) of the lof-lting-rneohanisms of tho two powerrunners. Shaft 80 is also proijidttl with a third rigL idly mounted arm Si); which is; oonnertwl hv link Si with the toot-trradle S5 wlioreitv the chauffeur may at will uulork the trat'iorVA Chains preliminary to depressing the same into 'their operative positions.

86 reiliresents the lnalte-liand drum which is mounted as usual op the axle L the usual servire and einer-gener ltr-altes on the. driving-axle heingrretainml ivhru the wher-ls are removed.

It is thus evident that. the substitution ot' my power-runners for the drivingrheels of a vehicle involves no alteration in the essential parts of the vehicle other than the removal yot' the ivltttls and the mountingT oi' the power-runners on the axle. the only t'haugle required heine; the ltorittg, of a 'teu holes in the frame tor mounting the rock` *ing-shafts 72% and S0 and their aetuating j meehanisms.

.leterring now to Figs. lf3, 14 and 1T, the trout or non-power runners are suli.-gtitutod for the trout or non-driving i'vheels without change ot parts other. than said substitution. The steering runners may be of any suitable type and Construction. hut l prefer the structure illustrated wherein the same artx composed of'a shoe 87, preferably provided with a longitudinal bottom ril) to grip the ground and prevent sltidding or sideV slipping` a top-plate fit), the shoe living; lirought upwardly at the front lo nur. said liriwes Siti-Htl. The top-plate is provided with a rigidliY attached titi .lilo

lio

"thus firmly braced against lateral strain.

" quired hub 91 into which the splndle 92 of the axle is inserted and secured by the nut 93 or whatever type of locking-device with which the vehicle is provided. 94 is the usual vetical spindle-collar, rigid with the spindle 92 and pivoted in the yoke 95 on the end of the axle 96 by the pin 97. 98--9S are the steering-arms rigid with the collar 94 and connected with the steering-rod 99. 100 is the arm by which the steering-shaft is attached. 101 and 102 are bracing-rods, secured at their bottom ends by means of nuts to the shoe 87, and provide respectively at their upper ends with s lit-collars, 103 and 104, which encircle an are bolted tightly around the spindle-collar 94. The runner 1s It is evident that the steering-mechanism of the vehicle controls the-nonpower runners to direct the course of the vehicle, and that no alterations are required for the substitution of the runners for the Wheels.

It is thus evident that my invention provides efficient and inexpensive means for expeditiously changing a power-driven wheeled vehicle into a power-driven sleigh, no alteration of the power plant, transmission or body of the vehicle being required. The mechanism for controlling the power runners from the chauffenrs seat being quickly attached to the framel without mar! ring the same, a few holes being only re- VVhcn' the runners are rep aced again by the wheels, the controlling mechanism is removed and the vehicle again presents its original appearance.

that I desire to claim is l.` In combination with the driving axle of a power-driven vehicle, a runner adapted to be mounted on said axle as a substitute for the driving-wheel, and an eccentric interposed between said axle and said runner.

2. In combination with the driving-axle of apower-driven vet-icle, n runner adapted to be mounted on said axle asa substitute for the driving-\vheel, an eccentric interposed between said axle and said runner, and means for limiting the rotary movement of said eccentric.

3. In combination with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, a runner adapted to be mounted ou said axle as a substitute for the driving-wheel, an eccentricinterlposed between said axle and said runner, and means for locking said eccentric against rotation.

4. In combination with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, a runner adapted to be mounted on said axle as a substitute for the driving-wheel, an eccentric interposed between said axle and said runner. I means for limitingthe rotary movement of l said eccentric, and means Yfor locking said eccentric against rotation. l

5. In combination with thel driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, a runner adapted to be mounted' on said axle as a substitute for the driving-wheel, a tractor mounted on said axle and receiving ower therefrom, and means for shifting' said runner in relation to said axle.

6. In combination with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, a runner adapted to be mounted on said axle as a substitute for the driving-wheel, a tractor mounted on said axle and receiving power therefrom, means for shifting said runner in relation to said axle, and means for locking said runner against shifting.

7. In combination with the driving-axle of a ower-driven vehicle, a runner adapted to e mounted on said axle as a substitute for the drivingwheel, means for shifting said axlevertically in relation to said runner, a shaft journaled in said runner parallcl with said axle, sprockets mounted on said axle and said shaft. and atractor-chain mounted on said sprockets receiving power from said axle.

8. In combination with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, a runner adapted to be mounted on said axle as a substitute for the driving-wheel, a shaft journaled in said runner parallel with said axle, sprockets mounted on said axle and said shaft, means for shifting said axle and said shaft vertically in relation to'said runner` and a tractor-chain mounted on said sprockets receiving power from said axle.

9. In combination with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, a runner adapted to be mounted on said axlevas a substitute for the drivingwheel, a shaft journalcd in said runner parallel with Said axle, sprockets 4mounted on said axle andsaid shaft. means for shifting said axle and said shaft vertically in relation to said runner, common controllingl means for said axle and said. shaft, and a tractor-chain mounted on said sprockets receiving power from said axle.

10. In combination'with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, a runner adapted to be mounted on said axle as a substitute for the driving-wheel, a shaft journaled in said runner parallel with said axle, sprockets mounted on said axle and said shaft, means for s ifting said axle and said shaft verticaliy in relation to said runner, means 'for locking saidA axleand said shaft against vertical movement, and a tractor-chain mounted on said sprockets receiving power from said axle.

11'. In combination with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, a runner adapted to be mounted on said axle as a substitute for the driving wheel, a shaft journaled I in said runner parallel with said axle, a sprocket mounted on said shaft and rotating therewith, a second sprocket loosely mounted on Said axle, a cushion-device interposed between said second sprocket and said axle, a tractor-chain mounted on said two sprockets, and means whereby said shaft is rotated by power from said axle.

12. In combination with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, a runner adapted to be mounted on .said axle as a substitute for the driving wheel, a shaft journaled in said runner parallel with said axle, a sprocket mounted on said shaft and rotating therei With, a second sprocket loosely mounted on said axle, a cushion-device interposed bei tween said second sprocket and said axle, a

l tractor-chain mounted on said two sproek'- 15 1 ets, means whereby said shaft is rotated by power from said axle, and means for shifting said runner in relation to Suid tractorchain.

May, 1912.

ANDREW VE'VIIGL, Jn.

l l l Witnesses:

JOHN J. HEALY, CHARLES E. LARGE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.

Signed at Sandusky, O., this fftth day of 2o

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