US1618023A - Locomotive railway attachment for tractors - Google Patents

Description

' F l I 1 2 b 9 7 H. E. RESTER- ET AL LOCOMOTIVE RAILWAY ATTACHMENT FOR TRACTQRS Ivwen/i o fia .Hnrgy and "Gear 6 .ET Beak? alley,

B. Wr

Feb. 1927.

H. E. RESTER ET AL. LOCOMOTIVE RAILWAY ATTAQHMENT FOR TRACTORS Filed Feb. 23, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 fiwewnsv. o Hen/val Reafer and Gear Feb. 'H. E. RESTER ET AL LOCOMOTiVE RAILWAY ATTACHMENT FOR TRACTORS Filed Feb. 23, 1926 V 4 Sheets-Sheet '4 Patented Feb. 15, 1927.

rr stares rarer i=sici.,f

oooMorrvE RAILWAY atr'rncnmnnrron rnacrons,

Application filed February 23, regs. Serial No. 90,183.

, The present invention pertains to locomotives of the internal combustion type, Where- 1n a tractor is utilized as the power plant thereof; and relates more particularly to' an,

improved under-truck upon tor maybe mounted.

The object of the present invention .is to produce a sub-tru-cka-ttachment for the tractorsto convert the latterinto a locomotive particularly useful in handling cars at lumvvhich the tracher-mills, brick yards, mines, dirt cars and I taken} substantially on line 44:, Figure 3;

for similar purposes, said truck having features of novel'constructions producing a durable and rugged, yet flexible, structure sim-- pie-and efficient, and in manufacture comparativelymore economical, andxspecifically adapting the tractor thereto for more convenient and ready s attachmentfand detachment. v i

it is also an objectofthe invention to provide an under-frame or truck constructed to support a tractor in such a manner as to V or relocation of one axle on the truckwithpermit as short a Wheel base as desired a'nd having means permitting the Wheel base thereof to be varied by an easy adjustmentout change in the driving connection thereof and Without requiring addition or substituin and by the claims following the descrip'a tion of parts of'the driving connection or an adgustment thereof.

.Another object of the invention is the provision of means for protecting the power 5 g p like characters' of reference denote like and corresponding parts of the device.

plant and its operator from injury by the load on the cars, to Which-the locomotiveis attached moving or shifting forwardly or rearwardlyl V With these and other objects in View, the

invention resides insundry details of construction, combination and arrangements of P211tS XVl1TQ111Etft(-3JT are more fully described and pointed out in the appending claims.

a In this specification and the annexed drawings, the invention is disclosed in the form onvvhich it is considered to be thebest, i but the invention is not limited to such form because it is capable of beingembodied in other forms; and it is to be understood that tion herein, itsis intended to cover the invention'inwhatever. form 1t may be w thln the scope "thereof. 1

V In the drawing, which sh'ovvs the preferred I -tion of thev arrows; v s F1 gure 6 1s a fragmental'side-elevation of the truck underframe, W1th-tractor ;Wheel The truck-frame, v [is mountedfis specifically designed so I that the changes necessary in the partsof the embodimentofthe invention as at present devised g Figure .1 is a side elevation of a locomotive constructed in accordance With the-presgent invention Figure 5 is: a transverse'sectionof view of the locomotive taken substantially on l1ne 5. '5"of Fi ure 2 and. looking in the direc-L removed, illustrating the driving connection the truck axle; f

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the inner side; of the car guard, shown in Figure 6.-

Figure 8 1s a sldeelev'ation of an extensihle connecting rod;

lnconstructin a-locoinotive in accordancewith the present invention, a'tractor With its transmission mechanism and driv mg shaft and axles is employed and 1t isthe purpose of this invention to utilize a tractor commercially known as Fordson, but itshouldbe understood that the;1nven- ,tion is not limited to the. useof Fordson tractors. v .7 i i upon which the tractor tractor for its use on. the truck-framev are greatlyreduced compared with those 'of the same typev which have been previously designed, used or proposed. In the preferred form of the illvel tiq v between the driving axle of the tra ctorand ion Which is now in practicaliise, thejfollowing CFl are briefly the changes which are made in the tractor All four Wheels and the front axle are removed which is necessary in all events, and, for more effective use as a locomotive on a railroad, the differential has interposed between its gears a blind-spider to .which the gears are connected by which connection both halves of the rear axle will operate as one shaft. Also, the gears in the transmission maybe rearranged so as to reverse the rotation of the rear axle to thatof its normal rotation for a purpose to later appear, and which adjustment is'well known in connection Fordson tractors. The steering mechanism associated with a front axle is unnecessary for steering proposed 7 when the locomotive of this invention is defront tracttion wheels of the locomotive truck. I I

In the drawings T denotes the outline of the tractor which includes the engine E, the

radiator R, the gasoline tank G, the diiferential'casiug C, and the rear driving axle housing 14, connected to the casing C in the usual manner as shown. All these parts may be of standard type of construction found in tractors commercially sold and are applied Without change in the locomotive, except as stated above.

' The tractor, with its wheels and the front axle removed, is to be mounted out-he subtruck F. This subetruck comprises a frame having a pair of spaced and elongated members 10 connected at their ends by tra nsverseend members 11. These side and end members, are formed from sheetsteel or other suitable metals and are of considerable width and arranged vertically on the edge. The end portions 13 of the members 11 are extended at right angles thereof and 'enga'gethe inner faces of said side members attheir ends, where they are suitably secured together, such as by bolt 12. The side memberQ 10, as before stated, are of considerable width and are formed with slots or cut-out, portions, 14, 15, and lti arranged at. spaced intervals and extend from the lower edge thereof for distances upwardly of the 2 members to receive journal boxes 17 and 17 in which transverse axles 18 and 19 are relativel wideelone'ated stri )S or ala'tes 'used or proposed in connection with devices of the present type. The flexibility abSQl'bs -or takes-up' a greater part of the strain "in round ng curves and the like inbility and to permit access to the various parts of the device.

Portions The outer ends of the axles project beyond the frame-and have mounted thereon front and rear traction wheels-20 and 21, respectively. Opposite the edges of the notches or slotsl l, 15 and 16 are provided guides g which extend into corresponding vertical grooves inthe journal boxes 17 and 17 as can be clearly seen on Figure l,,thus permitting the j'ouriial boxes to be slidably moved into and out of said guide-slots and maintaining them securely on the frame. The lower end of each of the guide-slots 14, 15 and 16 isclosed by a. retaining plate 22 held in position by suitable bolts 23.

The journal box slots 14, which are in front end of the truck-frame F, are of greater length than the journal box slots 15 .and 16. lnterposing between the top face of the front journal boxes 17. and upper ends of" the slots 14 are coil springs 24 for cushioning the front end of the truck frame and permitting the journal boxes 17 to yieldingly shoe in the slots 14, thereby the axle 18 will rock freely in a vertical transverse plane to accommodate itself to track inequalities. V The upper end of the springs are maintained in position by a stud 25 pro- .jecting thereinto, while their'lower ends may be secured to the journal box 17, or the latter may have an iiipstanding stud thereon similar tothe stud 25. It will be observed that the journal-box slots .15 and 16 are onlyof a size to-receive the journal boxes 17 without allowing for a. vertical sliding .n'ieven' entv of the box therein.

c The frame braced transversely by hori-' gsontal plates 26 extending between the lateral portions of the end members as shown, and, in addition to providing suitable braces, serve as platforms at the end portions of the frame. Plates 26 may be independent of the end members 11 having flangessecured by the bolts to the end members, or cast integral therewith as shown.

ably, between theend members 11 andrthe axle 18, is transverse brace 28 having its end portions secured'by bolts'29 or the like to the opposite side members 10. This brace is, preferably, a vertically arranged plate .of sheet metal having flanged ends through which the' bolts'29 extend, and is specifically designed'to provide a supportfing cradle for the forward end of the tracfor by having its upper edge cut away one suitable are, as at 'SOyto accommodate the structure of the tractor body. Located on the underside of the engine crankcase E, of a Fordson tractor,land-near theforward' fit the forward end of the truck, prefer- I I 7 end thereofiis a pair of the pendingcperfo- 'tion of frame, one of said braclrets'being I secured to each side member 10. The brackfree ends of the U shaped bolts 37 extend.

' gear wheels 4iO'and ll respectivelywhich xneshw th the gear wheels 42 and 1:3 001% 'rated'flugs 31', which, when the tractor is used as such, to receive a trunnion pin 31 fconnecting the front axle therewith. When mounted on the frame F,'these perforated lugs 31 straddle the cradle 28 provided with a suitable opening 28 to register with the perforations in the lugs 31 to receive the securing trunnion pin '31, I r

I The rear end portionof the tractor is supported on the truck-frame-by supporting brackets 32 disposed'at the rear end porets 3 2, of course,disposed-in traverse alignment and, preferably, are formed from a metal plate having its upper end extending abovethe upper edge of the side members 10 and provided with suitable pockets or arcuate notches33 in which is to rest the end portions of the rear axle housing H of the'tractort As shown in the drawings,

these brackets are detachably securedto the inner side faces of the side members 10 by means of bolts2 l extending. through the side men' 'bers and the body. of thefplate forming the bracket, The'lower edgeof the.

bracketplates areeXtended at an angle to form the inwardly extend ng flanges 35 hav 111 openings v36'there1n through which the The-U-boltsjBZ e'ittend over the axle housing H and co-operate with therecess 83 of the supportingbracket 32 to firmly clamp therear end of the tractor to the truck frame, suitablef nuts or other, fastening means engaging on the endslof the U- e; v v 1011 the outer ends ofthe rear axle 39 of the; tractor are removably' 'securedby 1 nuts centric with the rear truck axle 19 and,

fpref'erably, made fastto rotate theftraction wheels 21jthereof by being bolted directly to the nner side face of" the said traction ,lwheels by ine'ans of bolts-4A, lhe ratio he: tween the gears 40 and 42 and the, gears l -andlii is such as willincre asethedriving power of tractor or pox-ver-plantl, but it; is to be understood-the ratio ofthese gears may be varied to effect a low speed with high pulling power or a high speed with a reduced pulling power-to meet 'the exilgencies or demands which the "locomotive n'lay be called upon to meetx' The construction ofthe truck frame,with

the motor supporting fparts 28 'and 33 disposed shown in the drawings support ng the tractor above theftruc-k axles, permits the axles 18 and 19 to be positioned relatively 'close to each other between the front and rear point of'supportfor the tractor to provide truck withqafrelatively short wheel :base, whiclr'is' of great advantage cured in the slots in locomotives of jthepresent t pe-{0 3 at n 1nja limited area such as lumber- W s, mines, inills factories, stoneeyards and the like, where itfis necessary to. round 1.

short curves and to switch carsover short cross-overs, up and down abruptand sudden inchnes. Th1s construct on l1k6WlS8 enables easy access to the tractor permitting the quick and economical greasing, lubricating housing supporting brackets 32 at equal distances with respect to the axial'center of the rear axle housing retaining. pockets or recesses33, thus permitting thewheel base of the locomotive truck to bereadily increased,

at will, by merely removing the journal'- A boxes 17 from the journal-box slots 15 and mounting the same int-he journal boxf slots 16, without requiring'any adjustment, ad 7 idition or substitution Ofpartsf the driving connection between the, traction Wheels 21 1 and the rear axle .39 ofth'e tractor mounted infth'e supporting brackets 32, as the gears {1:0, 6L1, 42 and e' will properly interengage when the journal. boxes 18 are properly se flhe driving power or traction of theprcs lentlocon otive may be, and preferably, is, ;increased. by connect ng the rear drive Wheels 21 with .the front wheels 20 ofthe truck frame bygsuitable connecting rods 45,

as is customary {in locomotive practice, I the wheels being properly weighted, as at' {L6, atpoin-ts diametrically opposite thepomts of connection of the 'rods45 With-said avl eels 2( )and .21., As shown inthefdrawings, the wheels andij21L are arranged to provide ajshort wheel base, but, when the e e 9 of h -framers positioned in th e journal-box slots 16 to provide longer fwhee'l basejit wilLbe' necessary'to change the co'nnectingrods45 one of greater length. Howeven t spreferred to provlde an adjustable connectmgrod 45 as shown 'in lTig;i 8, in order that no change will be necessary. lhe' adjustable rods 145:; prisingi extensible sections 1 and sand'the adjustment fefl'ected through the bolts 4-8 Inorderi'to protect, the power plant and V the operator from the loa'd on the cars'shifting'either forwardly or backwardly onto the locomotive, by, reason of sudden jerks or stops orthe like, upwardly extending shields 49 are provided, respectively, "at "each. end of the truck-frame F, -'Theseshields; are not heavy gaug e steel'rli te iot,agwidths b tan V 'tiallycoincidentfwith'the" length eras-end 1111 some instances-it is foundfnecessary' to members llto which latter the shields are detachably affixedby means of, bolts or other suitable fasteners 50. The shields extend upwardly for a distance to properly perform the functions for whichlthey are designed, and at least 'extendchigher than the motor. The shields 49 preferably extend around the sides of the car for a slight distance, as shown in the drawings, and are constructed on a transverse curve which increases their rigidity; and they are provided With a plurality of perforations 51 permitting the passage-of air to pass therethrough for cooling the motor and also reducing the resistance of the air or wind pressure against the shields, when moving at relatively high speed.

' A draw head or coupling 52 is provided at each. end of the truck and may be of any desired or approvedtypabeing secured to the end members .11 of the truck-frame. f

The-wheels 40, 41, 42 and 43 are inclosed bysuitable guards 53 encasing all exposed portions of the gears. The guards 53 are each preferably made of twosections h and i, the top section it comprising two spaced side-wallsconnected by an arcuate end wall, the lower section 71 being only an arcuate wallin complement of the arcuate wall of section it, to extend around the peripheries of the gears as shown. The walls ofthe top sectio'n'h have cut-,out portions j therein to fit aroundflthe axle housing H. The entire guard is held in position by bolts 70 extending through openings in in the guard and secured in the side members 10 of the truckframe. lNhen the wheel-base of the truck is increased by shifting the journal boxes of the axle 19 in the journal-box slots 16,,the

guards on each side may be interchangedu fromone side to theother in order'to'prope'r'ly positionthem on the frame, as is indicated by the position of the guard shown in Figure Themotor crankhandle as susual, but,th1s crank handle 55 istransposed on one side of the loco-- motive andis connected to a short transverse shaft 56 mounted in suitable bearing bracketsf57on the front platform26. The inner end of the shaft 56 has a bevel gear 58 thereon'meshi'ng Witha bevel gear59 provided on the forwardly extending armor extension secured-to the crankshaft 60;of the tractor. The-forward extension of the crank shaft 60 isheld rigid in position by. a suitable bracket ;61 also,1nounted on the front platform 26.

The controller of the locomotive is the same asthat of the tractor normally, the

transmission being controlled through the usual shifting lever 62, and the clutch a through the pedal 63, which has added thereto, in order-to also permit manual operation ofthe, clutch, the handle lever 64.

of the tractor is started a provide a braking means for the locomotive, and this is providedbymounting concentrically on the inner faces ofthe front-truck traction wheels 20 suitable brake drums 65,

secured to the Wheel by bolts 65 and having ordinary contraction brake bands 66.1nount- The usual steering wheel on thetop of the steering column is, preferably, removed and has substituted therefor a lever-handle 70.

The connecting rod 71, normally part of the steering gear of'the tractor,-is employed. to 9 connect the linkage 67 of the left brake to the linkagev72 of the brake band on the rlght front-wheel. It is obvious, therefore, that when the handle is moved in one direc- .tion, the brakes on the front wheels 20 will be applied and when moved in a reversed direction will be released. The operator may occupy the seat 78 normally provided as part of the tractor structure.

From the above it will be apparent that a very practical locomotive -truck-frame upon which tractors may be mounted is provided, the structure of the truck frame possessing great flexibility due to its characteristic design and fabrication, yet possessing the necessary strengthand rigidity to insure durability. It isalso manifest that the wheel base of the truck-frame may be made as short as desired when the truck-frame is originally designed for any particular purpose by reason of themanner in'which the tractor is supported thereon, provision hav ing been made, however, for this short wheel base to be increased by the'user, when occasion demands, without requ ring read uStment or making any change in the driving mechanism; and thatthe tractoris'supported upon the under-frame in a very simple manner which permits quick and ready at-j tachment and detachment without hindrance or difficulty, there being only two points of connection between the tractor and the frame, that is, at the'point 28 and rat the rear axle housing supporting brackets 32.

Although theinvention, as stated among the principal objects sought to be accomplished and as illustrated in thedrawings and as particularly described ab'ove, makes use of thefFordson tractor as the power plant for the locomotive railway truck of this invention andis specially designed for such use it is intended thatthe invention, however, be notlimited to the use ofa Fordson tractor alone,,because othersimilar tractors, or'other'like powerplants may, be used with the same'i facility andlwithouthecessitating any. material ,change in the truckframe. It is also to be understoodthat the present device is not limited to use as a railway locomotive for it may be. used as. a

sub-frame for tractors used Without railed-V Ways.

What is claimed is g v 1. A locomotive comprising a truck-frame having front and rear traction Wheels, a-supporting bracket at the front end of said truck-framepositioned above the axle of 7 Wheels on one axle of said truck may be driven from'the rear axle of the tractor when mounted on said truck-frame. H

2. A truck-frame for converting tractors into locomotives comprising a frame, supporting brackets at thefront and rearportions of the frame for detachably receiving andsupporting thetractor thereon, a front axle on theframe and having traction Wheels thereon, a. rear axle for saidframe having traction Wheelst-hereon, means on the frame positioned in advance of said rear supporting brackets for maintaining'said rear axle on the frame, means on the frame positioned to the rear of saidrearsupporting brackets for interchangeably receiving said rear axle and maintaining it on tl1e=frame,and a gear concentric with: the

axisofsaid rear axle and tocrotate the same, said gear being adaptedto engage With a gear to be applied on ,the end of the rear axle of the tractor Whenmounted in said rear brackets,ineither posit-ion of said. rear axle.

3. A truck-frame as set forth in claim 2 characterized further by a connecting rod between the rear wheels and the front Wheels on each side of said truck, said connecting rod being adjustable to allow for the. in-

terchanged positions of-said rear axle.

l. A truck-frame for converting tractors into locomotives comprising a frame, supporting brackets at the front andrear portions of theframe for detachably receiving and supporting. a tractor thereon, front axle and a rear axle for said frame hav-V ing traction heels thereon, said axles being journalled on the frame between said supporting brackets, and a driving connection between said rear Wheels ofzthe truckframe and the i rearaxle of the tractor when mounted-inposition on the frame.

,5 ."A truck-frame for 'convertmgtractors into locomotrves compr sing side plate memhers connected at their ends by transverse end members, the lovveredgesof said plate members 'bein "(provided at their 7 front and rear end portionswith vertically extending slots,jjournal boxes for, said slots, each having vertically disposed grooves 'in opposite side walls to receive the 'opposite'side edges ofsaid slots, detachable means forclosing the lower endof said slotand maintaining said journal/boxes in position, transverse axles mounted in said journal boxesptraction heels on said axles, supporting brackets on said framefor. detachably supporting a tractor thereon andfla driving connection for connecting, the Wheels of at least one of saidfaxlesjoviththe driving mechanism of said tractora V f 6. truck-fra1'ne as setfforth in claim 5 further characterized by having portions vof saidside plate members out out to increase the flexibility of saidframe. i

7; Inca sub-frame for tractors comprising side plate" members connected at their ends by transverse members, the lower, edge of saidfplate members being provided at their front and rear portionsjwith vertically extending slots,fj ourna-l boxes meu'ntea in said slots, transverse axles mounted :in said jour nalj boxes, tractiOnwheels V on saidaxles, means on the frame for supporting a tractor thereon, means for, vestablishing driving connection between the tractor and," atleast,

one of the traction" Wheels of the frame,

rocate in 'saidjslots and cushioning means between the upper ends, of said "slots and.

saidijournalboxes. a p 8. Atr'uck-frame as set' forthfin claim 5 further vcharacteriz-ed by at least two sets of journal box' slots at-the rear-- end portion of said frame to interchangeably'receive the journal boxes of said rear axle, one setof journal box slots being positioned in ad,- vanceiof. the tractor rear axle support and the otherrset being positioned to the rear thereof, V 'i i i 9. A truck-frame asset forthinclaim 5 further characterizedby at leasttvvo setsiof journal box slots at, the rear end. portion of said frame I to interchangeablyreceive the journalboxes of said rear axle,'one set of journal box slots being"positioned in ad vance of, the tractor. rear axle support'and the other set being positioned to the rear thereof, each set being equally spacedon opposite sidesflof thehsupporting bracket for the tractor rear. axle, said, rear traction Wheels of the truck frame having a gear. fast thereto, vand a gear for each end. of thetractor rear axle to imeshfwith the jgear on said t i'a tie i he ls p said. 9k ra e whe the tractor: is mounted in position on said the rear axle, V

sf 'ami i ir sp t ve: UhsiP S s-ef bers connected attheir ends by transverse end members, front andrear traction wheels forsaid truck-frame journalled on the latter, means for supporting a tractor in position on said frame comprising a transverse vertical plate having'its end members laterally extended and secured-to said side plates and having an aperture therein at amedial point in its length below its upper edge, whereby the front coupling of the tractor may be secured to said plate by a trunnion pin extending through the opening in said plate,

said means further comprising'a pair of' bracket plates one secured to the rear end portionof each side platejmembers of the frame, said bracket plates having their upper edges formed to receive the ends of the rearaxle housing of the tractor and each having a lateral perforated flange thereon, U-bolts to extend around said axle housing of the tractor and through said perforations in said flange, means for securing said bolts in position, and a driving connection whereby the traction wheels of the'frame may be driven from the rear axle of said tractor.

1 1. A truck-frame as set forth in claim l O'further characterized by said transverse end members of the 'frame having their ends extended laterally thereto and secured to the ends of said side plate members, and horizontal bracing plates or webs, one between the lateral ends of each end member, said'plates or webs forming transverse braces and extending'inwardly of the frame. 12. Atruck-frame for converging tractors into locomotives comprising side plate members connected at their endsby' transverse end members, frontand rear traction wheels for said truck-frame journalled o-n'the latter, a transverse brace between the front endpor tions of said side members for supporting the front end of said tractor, 'and'a pair of bracket-s, one on each of said side plates for supporting the rear end of said tractor, each of said brackets comprising a plate having a recessed upper edge to receive an end of the rear axle housing of the tractor, a lateral flange on each of said p'lates'having perforations therein, and U-bolts associated with each of" saidbrackets to'extend around the end of said axle housing and through the perforations in said flanges, and means for securing said bolts to said flanges- I V 13. In a sub-frame for'tractors, a supporting frame including. vertical side plate members permitting flexure thereof trans: versely of the frame and connected at their ends by transversermembers, front and rear traction wheels for the frame journaled on the" latter, .means for supporting a tractor in position on the frameincluding a transverse ,cradle like brace having its ends setractor.

cured to said side plate members and adapted to support the front end of a tractor, said tractor supporting means further including supporting brackets on each of said side plate members of the frame for the rear axle of the tractor, and driving connection whereby the traction Wheels of the frame may be driven from the rearaxle of said.

14. In a'locomotive of the character described, a truck frame, traction wheels on said truck'frame, propelling mechanism on said frame connected with said traction wheels, and upwardly extending plates on the ends of said truck-frame, each of said plates being coextensive with the width of the 7 frame and extending upwardly therefrom for a distance to shield the motor from shift-ing loads from cars to which the 10110,- motive may be attached, said plates being perforated to permit air to pass there through to the'propelling means and reduce the air pressure thereagainst when the loco= motive is moving, I I

15. In a sub-frame for tractors comprising side plate members connected at their ends by transverse members, the lower edge of said plate members being provided at their front and rear portions with vertically extending slots, journal boxes mounted in said slots, transverse axles mounted in said journal boxes, traction wheels on said axles, means on the frame for supporting a tractor'thereon,'means forestablishing a driving connection between the tractor and,

at least, one'of the traction wheels of the frame.

16, A truck-frame for converting tractors into locomotives comprising a frame, sup porting brackets at the front and rear poi tions of the frame for detachably receiving and supporting the tractor thereon, front and rear axles on the frame and having traction wheels thereon, means on the frame positioned in advance of said rear supporting brackets for .maintaining said rear axle on the frame, means on the frame positioned to the rear of said rear supporting brackets forinterchangeably receiving said rear axle and maintaining it on the frame, and means whereby said rear traction wheels may be driven from the rear axle of the tractor when mounted in said rear brackets, in either position of said rear axle.

17. A truck frame including side members, spaced axles mounted in bearings on the frame, said side members of the frame permitting flexure thereof throughout its length transversely of the frame, and wheels for the axles. 7

18. A truck frame including side mem bers, spaced axles mounted in bearings on the frame, said side members comprising intermediate plate-like portions between said axles capable of flexing throughout therebetween, whereby the frame may flex transversely under strain.

19. A truck frame comprising side members, spaced axles mounted in bearings on said side members and spaced from the ends thereof, wheels for said axles, said side members permitting flexure thereof transversely of the frame, means for supporting the load on the frame, said means being vpositloned at a point between the ends of the frame and said axles to prevent the buckling of the frame due to flexure.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

HENRY EfREsTER. Y GEORGE BOYLE WERGKLEY

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