US692876A - Motion-checking device. - Google Patents

Description

No. 692,876. Y .Patented'Feh- Il, |902.

H. LEMP. MUTION CHEGKING DEVIGE'.

(Application led Nov. 17, 1900,)

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(No Model.)

VUNITED STATES APATENT OFFICE.

HERMANN LEMP, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO ELIHU THOMSON, OF SIVAMPSCOTT, MASSACHUSETTS.`

MOTION-CHECKING'DEVICE.

srnerrrcn'rlon forming para of Letters Patent No. 692,876, dated February 11, 1902.

' Application-tiled November 17, 1900. Serial No, 36,868. (No model.)

To all whom it 11i/Cty concern:

Be it known that I, HERMANN LEMP, a citi- 'zen of the United States, residing at Lynn,

' other and which are controlled by a valve actuated by an operating-handle. As the handle is moved from a given position it first opens the valve and then moves one member with respect to the other. In arrangements of this kind there is of necessitya small amount of lost motion.

The present invention contemplates motionchecking devices of `the same general character; but instead of utilizing the first part of the vmovement of the operating-lever to open the valve the parts are so arranged that it is' necessary to give the handle a differentmovement to open the valve thanis required to move a part or partswith respect to another part or parts. With such a device there is no lost motion between'the operating-handle and the member or element to be moved.

Another advantage inr this construction resides in the fact that the locking mechanism can be readily rendered inoperative if for any reas/on it is so desired.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of Vmy invention, Figure lis a vertical section ot' a mo- Fig. 2 is a detail viewv of the operating-handle therefor, showing certain of the parts in section. Fig. 3 is a detail view in elevation of part of the handle. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the handle.u Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively a plan and'side elevation' of the piston. Fig. 7 is averticalsection through the piston and controlling-valve. Fig. 8 is a sectional View of the piston, showing the controlling-valve in a closed position. Fig. 9 is a vthreaded plug H.

horizont-al sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig.'10 is a sectional view of a slight modification; Fig. 1l is a horizontal sectional view of the piston and valve of the type illustrated in Fig. 10 and shown in the operative position. Fig. 12 is asection of a slight modificatio'n of the steering-handle. Fig. 13 is a plan of the same, and Fig. 14 shows the motion-checking device applied to the steering` mechanism of a` vehicle.

Referring t0 Fig. 1, A represents a body or casing, and mounted for movement therein is a piston B. Situated above the piston is a chambered cover C, which closes the casing above the piston.' (Extending downwardly from the cover is 'an extension C', which `is .curved on its inner wall concentric with the center of the piston, and the outerk wall isA shaped to conform to the casing A. The piston is mounted eccentric-ally with respect to the casing and, asl shown, two chambers D D are provided. These are filled with a normally quiescent body of fluid-such as glycerin, for

example. I have found that to be a very satisfactory fluid, since it does not freeze in Winter; but oil or other fluid may be employed if desired. The casing is supported by lugs E, `formed on the front thereof. When the check- .ing device is applied to a vehicle, asillus- `trated in Fig. 14, the lugs are clamped around lthe fixed, axle F, vand when applied to other apparatus the casing is connected to one part andthe piston to another, the parts being so arranged that they are capable of movement with respect to each other.

The piston B consistsof a h ub having shoulders formed therein and a solid wing or blade B', which extends at right angles thereto.' Y

The hub of the piston is chambered out to reoeive the valve G, and the opening at the bot-' tom of this chamber 'is closed .by a` screw- The chamber in which the valve is located comm unicateswith a'pa'ssageformed in the casting() through anrop'ening 95 I. This passage I forms a relief, so that the valve may readily be raised. In addition to this other means are provided, which will be hereinafter described. On opposite sidesof the piston are ports J When the valve is IOO in the operative position, fluid can flow from the chamber D on one side oi' the piston to chamber D on the other.

The valve G for controlling the operation of the device consists of a piston-like piece having a groove G formed in its periphery and acentral passage G2. The stock forming the upper end ofthe passage is screw-threaded to receive the end of the valve-operating rod K. K is somewhat enlarged and is provided with a central opening which communicates with the vertically-extending passage Gr2 in the valve. In addition to this are holes L, which communicate with the chamber containing the piston. This arrangement acts as a relief for the fluid above the valve when it is actuated. Owing to the construction of the parts, the chamber above the valve is always filled with the same fluid as is contained in the chamber of the casting C and in the chambers D and D'. As the valve is raised it acts like a piston, andA the iiuid is forced from the valve-chamber through the passage I and also through the holes L into the passage G2, and thence to that portion of the chamber below the valve. Vhen the valve is in the position shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the parts are locked against movement; but when the valve is raised, as is shown in Figs. l and l), iiuid is permitted to How from the chamber D into the chamber D. The operatinghandle M is pivotally connected to a clamp M, that is secured to the upper end of the steering-tube N. rl`he lower end of the tube N is connected to the piston-hub by means of a flexible connection N. The object of this flexible connection is to permit the swinging steering-handle and the steering-tube to move with the body of the vehicle independent of the casing and piston, which are secured to the running-gear or framework. The valve-rod K is inolosed by the tube N and is also' provided with a ieXible connection K for the same reason. As illustrated, this flexible connection, as well as connection N',

consists of a universal joint; but any suitable form of exible connection may be employed in either or both instances, and I aim to embrace such constructions in the claims. The upper end of the valve-rod is provided with rack-teeth, with which the teeth of the pinion O mesh, which pinion is rigidly mounted on a shaft that is actuated by the swinging operating-handle M. In order to close the piston-controlling valve G whenever the pressure of the hand is removed from the operating-lever, a coil-spring P is provided, which tends at all times to lift the handle, and consequently rotate the pinion O in a manner to close the valve. In operating the check the handle M is first depressed, which raises the valve to the position shown in Fig. 1, after which the piston and the parts attached thereto may be moved. As soon as the pressure is removed from the handle the spring P will raise the handle and close the valve. After The lower end of the operating valve-rod the handle has been depressed to raise the valve it is employed to move the members A and B with respect to each other, and while this is taking place the valve is inoperativethat is to say, it was set by the original movement of the handle. On the other hand, the valve may be actuated without changing the angular position of the members or steeringwheel by simply moving the handle up and down or by twisting it, as illustrated in Figs. 10 to 13.

Vhen for any reason it is considered desirable to operate the mechanism without using the checking device, it may be done by maintaining the handle in the depressed position.

This might be desirable in a crowded street,

where the steering movements were comparatively sudden and abrupt. On the other hand, when the 'vehicle is traveling in a section of country where the path of travel is comparatively unobstructed the pressure may be removed from the handle and the check will hold the parts in their operative position, and this without making any change in the structure or arrangement ot parts.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, I have shown a slight modification of my invention, in which the valve G is rotated from operative to an inoperative position instead of being moved vertically, asis the case in the previous figures. The upper end of the valve-rod K is provided with a bevel-gear, which meshes with a similar gear carried by the operatinghandle M. The steering is accomplished through the steering-tube N (illustrated in dotted lines) and the handle M. The valve Gis tapered, so as to make a working fit with the tapered valve-seat` formed in the piston. The valve is normally retained lin the raised position by means of the coiled extensionspring Q. The lower end of the chamber containing the valve is closed by a screwthreaded plug H. As illustrated in Fig. 11, the valve is in a position to permit fluid to flow from the chamber D into the chamber D. Twistingthe handle more or less will Vary the valve-opening, and consequently the rate of transfer of Vthe iiuid in the main chambers. In certain aspects a construction of this kind presents advantages over the one previously described in that it is unnecessary to provide relief-passages, since there is no piston-like action of the valve. In operating the device the handle M is twisted in either direction from a given position, which in turn transmits motion to the valve-rod K through the bevel-gear. As Vthe valve is turned the passage G comes into line with the openings or ports Jin the passage or moves out of line with the ports, depending upon the direction in which the handle is twisted. When the valve has been set in the position shown in Fig. 11, the handle may be swung around the axis of the steering-tube N as a center, and as long as the valve is kept open the moving of the members with respect to each other may be freely accomplished. In order to loclr ICO IOS

IIO

, that are carried bythe fixed axle or support .angular position of the .the parts," the handle is twisted in'a directiont which will Aclose theI passage between 'the chambers D and D.

Referring -to Fig. 14, I have illustrated my invention in -connection with the `steeringwheels of a vehicle. R represents thesteering-wheels, which are mounted on short axles F. Secured to the short axles are levers S, which in turn are connected to the lever T, that is secured to the moving part of the checking device. vIn the present instance the piston is the moving element; but it is to be understood that the piston could be made stationary and the cylinder arranged to move. The casing A is rigidly secured to the `front axle, and as the handle M is operated the wheels .will be freely changed.

What I claimas new, and desire to secure by' Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. In a motion-checking device,-the combi- "uationvof members movable withrespect to each other, a body of normally 'quiescent fluid acting as a lock between the members, a positively-actuated Valve for controlling theaction of the fluid, ahandle which is rigidly connected to one of the elements and imparts movement thereto, and a positive mechanical connection between the handle and the valve.

2. In a motion-checking device, the combination of members movable with respect to cach other, a body of normally quiescent tiuid actingas a lock between the members, a positively-actuatedvalve for controlling the action of the fluid, a handle which is-rigidlycon nected to one of the elements and isposi'tively connected to the valve and so arranged that when it is moved in one direction it actuates the valve and' when moved .in a different direction moves one of the members.

3. In a motion-checking device, the combination of members movable with respect to each other, a body of normally quiescent iiuid acting as a lock between the members, a positively-actuated valve for controlling the action of the i'luid,'a swinging handle rigidly connected to one of the members and capable of moving in a horizontal as well as a vertical plane, and a mechanical connection between the valve and-the handle which is operative during the movementof the handle in one plane but not in the other.

et. In a motion-checking device, the combination of members movable with respect to each other, a bodyof normally quiescent Huid actingas a lock between the members, a positively-actuated valve for controlling the actionv of the fluid, a swinging handle rigidly connected to one of the members and capable of moving in a horizontal as well as a vertical plane, and a jointed connection between the handle and the valve which is operative only when the handle is moved in the vertical plane.

5.l lIn a motion-checking device, the combination of two members movable with respect to each other, a body of -normally quiescent 'fluid acting as a lock between the members,

a valve mounted in oneof the members`,a handle -for moving ythe'member carrying the 'valve,' and a mechanical connection between members, a tube connected to and actuating; one of the members, an operating-handlese cured to the tube,and a valve-operating means which passes through the tube for controlling the valve.y

7. Asan article of manufacture, a motionchecking device, comprising two main members capable of movement with respect to each other, a positively-actuated valve carriedby the movable member, a tube secured to the moving member, a valve-operating rod which passes through the tube, and actuating means for the movable member and the valverod.

8. In a motion-checking'device, the combination of two elements movable with respect to each other, a valve carried by one of the elements, a tube rigidly .connected to the valvef carrying element,"an operating-handle secured to the tube, and a valve-operating rod I which passes through the tube.

v 9, In a steering-check for vehicles, the combination of a member secured to a xed part ot the vehicle, a member moving with a steering-wheel, a device for locking the members together, a vtubular actuator, a flexible connection between the actuator and thel moving member, a means for actuating the lock,"and a exible connection between said means and the lock. e

10. In a steering-check for vehicles, the combination of a stationary member, a moving member, a device for locking the members together, a tube, a jointed connection between the tube and one ofthe members, a' means for controlling the action of the lock, a v

rod passing through the tube, and a jointed IOO connection between the rod and the lock-con-- trolling means. lL'In a steering-check for vehicles, the combination of a steering-wheel, Na pair'of members ,which are movable with respect to 1 eachother, a double-acting lock between the members, a steering-tube connectedto the'A movable member, a means exten/ding through the tube for actuating the lock, a handle secured to the tube for moving the steeringwheel, and a connection betweenthe handle and the lock-actuating means which is inoperative in so faras the valve isconcernedwhen the steering-wheel is being moved, but is operative when the handle is moved in a' manner other than that required to steer.

12. In a motion-'checking device, the com-v bination of a movable and a stationary mem'- ber, a lock` for securing the members against relative motion, comprising a `body of vnormally quiescent fluid, anda valve for con-y trolling the lock, comprising a piston-like structure having a relief-passage through which a certain amount of the Huid is transferred when the valve is actuated, and other passages permitting the main body of fluid to circulate, and means for positively actuating the valve.

13. In a motion-checking device, the coinbination of a casing, a piston mounted therein, a valve-chamber formed in the piston, a piston-valve mounted therein, a relief-passage shunting and aiording a relief for the pistonvalve, and other passages for permitting iuid to pass from one side of the piston to the other, and a rod for positively actuating the valve.

14. In a motion-checking device, the combination of two members movable with re HERMANN LEMP.

\Vitnesses:

ALEX. F. MACDONALD, DUGALD MCKILLOP.

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