US804867A

US804867A - Propelling mechanism for vehicles.

Info

Publication number: US804867A
Application number: US24243305A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jefferson F Knowlton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1905-01-23
Filing date: 1905-01-23
Publication date: 1905-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 1922-11-21

Description

No. 804,867. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. J. P. KNOWLTODL' PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 23, 1905.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

No-804,867. PATENTED NOV. 21,1905. J. F. KNOWLTON.

PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 23, 1905.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT 'QFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES.

Patented Nov. 21 1905.

Application filed January 23, 1905. Serial No. 242,433.

To aZZ 1071,0112, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JEFFERSON F. KNowL- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Canton, in the county of Lincoln and State of South Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Propelling Mechanism for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of propelling mechanism that may be readilyv applied to any style of vehicle either for pleasure or draft purposes and which will materially lessen the cost of mechanically-propelled machines specially designed to meet the demand for horseless carriages.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side view of a vehicle embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the steering mechanism. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the upper frame of the running-gear to which the body of the vehicle is attached. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of the lower frame of the running-gear.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The framework of the running-gear comprises, essentially, two members, (designated, respectively, as the upper frame 1 and the lower frame 2.) Springs'3 are interposed between the two frames, so as to neutralize all shock and vibration.

Within the purview of the invention the two

frames

1 and 2 may be of any design and structure, depending upon the load and character of vehicle for which the mechanicallypropelled running-gear is intended.

The lower frame 2 is provided with front and rear axles 4 and 5, to the arms of which are supplied wheels 6 of any type. The arms of the front axle are pivotally connected thereto in the accustomed manner and have extensions 7, which are connected by means of a rod or bar 8, to which movement is imparted for proper steering of the machine. As indicated, a lever 9 is pivoted between its ends to the axle 4, and its rear end is connected to the rod or bar 8. A hub 10 is provided with an extension 11, which is in en'- gagement with the front end of the lever 9 to impart movement thereto when the hub 10 is turned either to the right or to the left. The steering-post 12 is secured within the hub 10 to compel movement thereof in unison with said post when turned either to the right or to the left. As shown, the hub 10 is formed with a square or angular opening, and the steeringpost 12 has a part correspondingly formed to snugly fit within the hub 10. The lower end of the post 12 is journaled in a plate A, secured to the axle 4. and extended forward therefrom. The shaft 13 for transmitting movement to the steering-post 12 is adapted to be lengthened or shortened and is provided in its length with a gimbal-joint 14 to admit of the rear end of the shaft being raised or lowered, as may be required. A hand-Wheel 15 is fitted to the rear end of the shaft 13 and is within convenient reach of the operator.

Bevel-gearing 16 connects the shaft 13 with hub is provided with sprocket-gears 20, to

which movement is imparted from a suitable motor B by means of sprocket-chains 21. Obviously any form of gearing may be resorted to for transmitting power from the motor or engine to the driver 18 for 'impelling the machine when it is required to drive same. The traction-wheel or driver 18 is centrally disposed, and to prevent slipping its rim is provided with cogs.

The traction-wheel may be of any desired construction and mounted in any preferred way and is independent of the usual vehiclewheels and is designed solely as a propeller for driving the machine when required.

The upper frame 1 is adapted to support the engine B and adjunctive partssuch as battery C, water-tank D, and gasolene-tank E also shaft 25, provided with balance-wheel 24 and power-transmitting gear 27. The construction of the frame 1 will likewise depend upon the special purposes of the runninggear and the design of the vehicle for which it is constructed. The bell 28 or other signal and the several levers for speeding, starting, and the like are mounted upon the frame within easy reach of the occupant of the vehicle to which the machine may be coupled. A cab 29 of any design is mounted upon the frame 1 and houses the motor and working parts and protects them from the weather. The motor B illustrated is of the explosive or gasolene type, and the shaft driven thereby is provided with sprocket-pinions 26, around which pass the upper forward ends of the sprocketchains 21.

In accordance with this invention the machine is designed to be used in the capacity of a traction engine or locomotive and is to be hitched, coupled, or attached in any manner to the buggy, carriage, or other vehicle to be invention, what ing the upper one, a motor and adjunctive parts and a steering-shaft mounted upon the upper frame, steering-wheels supporting the front of the propelling mechanism and connected with the said steering-shaft, couplings for partly supporting the rear end of the lower frame and loosely connecting it with the vehicle to be propelled, a traction-wheel mounted upon the rear portion of the lower frame and movable therewith and supplementing the action of the couplings in carrying the weight of the propelling mechanism, and connections between the motor and the said tractionwheel.

2-. In a mechanically-propelled vehicle, the combination of a lower frame provided with means for coupling it to the vehicle to be propelled, front supporting and steering wheels fitted thereto, a longitudinal lever pivoted between its ends to the front axle, means connecting one end of said lever to the steeringwheels, a steering-post connected with the opposite end of said lever, a rear traction-wheel journaled to said lower frame, springs interposed between and connecting said upper and lower frames, a motor and adjunctive parts mounted upon the upper frame and connected with the said traction-wheel, and a shaft carried by the upper frame and extended within convenient reach of the operator and geared to the said steering post, substantially as specified.

3. In a mechanically-propelled vehicle, a runninggear comprising upper and lower frames, the latter provided with the supporting-wheels, springs interposed between the two frames, .a centrally -disposed tractionwheel mounted upon the lower frame, a motor carried by the upper frame, and connections between said motor and traction-wheel.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JEFFERSON F.KNOWL'1ON. [1,. s]

' Witnesses:

H. N. COOPER, MARY COOPER.