US149393A - Improvement in ice-carriages - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

CHARLES HAMMELMANN, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN ICE-CARRIAGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 149,393, dated April 7, 1874 application filed January 9, 1874.

'To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES HAMMEL- MANN, of the city of Buffalo, in the county of- Erie and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Toy Sleighs, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to that class of sleighs which are provided with a toothed propelling or traction wheel, running on the snow or ice, and operated by a train of gear-wheels, driven by cranks; and it consists, mainly, in the combination, with the propelling-wheel, of a supporting-frame, pivoted vertically in the front part of the sleigh, so as to enable the said wheel to steer the sleigh by turning the frame on its pivot. In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a sleigh provided with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a top plan view, and Fig. 3 a front elevation, thereof.

Like letters of reference designate like parts in each of the figures.

A A represent the runners of the sleigh B, the seat thereof, supported on cross-pieces I) I) and standards 0 c in the usual manner. D is the toothed traction or propelling wheel, arranged between the runners A near the front of the sleigh. As shown in the drawing, it is composed of two similar sections or parts, each forming a complete wheel, both sections turnin g on a common shaft, (1, and having secured between them a concentric gear-wheel, E. F is a bifurcated bearing, arranged vertically, or nearly so, and supporting in its lower ends the shaft (Z of the propelling wheel. It carries at its upper end a pivot-pin, f, arranged centrally above the traction-wheel l), and pass ing through a cross'piece, G, of the sleigh, in which the bearing F is. held against the downward movement by a screw-nut, g, or equivalent device, applied to the end of the pivotj", on the top of the said cross-piece. h is a spiral spring, arranged around the pivot f, between the bearing F and the cross-piece Gr, so as to press the former and the propelling-wheel D supported therein downward, while permittiiji g a certain amount of upward motionto the wheel Dwhen it strikes an obstruction. I is a horizontal bifurcated frame or hearing, hung with its front ends on the shaft (1 of the propelling-wheel, and supporting thetrain of gearwheels by which the propelling-wheel D is operated. The rear end of the frame I is supported so as to maintain the same in a horizontal position, by a horizontal guide, K, of the form of a circular are, described from the center of the propelling-wheel D. As shown in the drawing, this guide is formed in one piece with the frame. I, and is slotted so as to engage with its outer portion in a staple or eye, Z, secured to the cross-piece b of the sleigh. A king-bolt passing through the slot of the guide K, and secured to cross-piece b, may be used instead of the staple Z. By this means, the frames I and F are always properly supported when swung laterally on the pivot f, as a center in steering the sleigh. M is the drivin ggear wheel, operated by hand-cranks m and supported in standard bearings 12, attached to the horizontal frame I. N is a counter gearwheel connecting the gear-wheels M and E, and supported in suitable bearings 0, attached to the frame I. The gear-wheel M is preferably provided with an inclosin g case, p, to guard against accidents. (1 is a handJever, having its fulcrum on the cross-piece G of the sleigh, its rear end extending tonear the seat B, while its short front end is connected by a link,

1', with the bearing F. The lever q is preferably constructed with a square or other suitable socket inclosing the nut g of the pivot f, so as turn with the latter.

Upon turning the l1andcranks m the tractiolrwliccl I) is revolved and the sleigh propelled in an obvious manner, and bearing on. the cranks m laterally, the frame, composed of the portions F and I supporting the propelling mechanism, is swung on the pivot f, and the direction of the sleigh changed accordingly, the frames I and F being always main tained in the proper position by the guide K and loop I. By depressing the hand-lever q, the propelling-wheel D is readily raised from the ground in order to clear obstructions, or when the propelling mechanism is not required to be 'used, while the wheel D is enabled to adapt itself to the inequalities of the ground by the sprin h.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is 1. The combination, with the propelling- Wheel, of the propelling mechanism, supporting-frame I, and pivoted bearing F f, Whereby the sleigh may be steered by swinging the frame upon its pivot, as set forth.

2. The combination, with the pivoted bearing F f and propelling-Wheel D, of the spiral spring 71, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination, with the pivoted frame F I, and the mechanism described for driving the propeller mounted thereon, the curved guide K, and loop I, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination, with the propellingwheel 1), pivoted bearing Ff, and spring h, of the hand-lever q and link a", for raising the propelling-wheel from the ground, substantially as set forth.

CHARLES HAMMELMANN.

Vitnesses:

JNo. J. BONNER, EDWARD WILHELM.

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