A LTHOUGH the term " rigid " is employed in specification
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No. 299,746, Karrier Motors, Ltd., and R. P. Clayton and R. D. Averns, in relation to the bogie of a sixwheeled vehicle, the word can hardly be considered applicable
to the class of six-wheeler described. Considering that several patents have passed through the Patent Office recently for a type of six-wheeler in which the central and rear axles are permitted to move in various directions, it would appear that some new name should be adopted to distinguish this class of vehicle. We suggest that it be called a "flexible bogie" six-wheeler. In the present invention the central and rearmost axles are mounted on ball joints where they join the springs, and are connected to the frame by the springs which have a pivot with a vertical axis in the centre, thus• forming a parallelogram, the objects claimed being the reduction of uneven weer on the tyres and the obtaining of a better turning circle.
When a straight course is departed from, the springs can assume an angle with the frame when looked at from above, thus making separate tracks for the driving wheels, as their axles move, one to the right and one to the left. The specification would have been more enlightening had a plan view been shown of the vehicle while cornering. As we consider that the recent attempts at relieving the grinding of tyres (which must fake place in the strictly, rigid-frame sixwheeler) are of importance, we have prepared a plan view of a chassis, constructed according to this patent, in the act of cornering. The line on the right represents a kerb against which the vehicle may have been standing, whilst the arrow indicates the direction in which the steering wheels have diverted it from a straight course. It will be seen from this view that the driving wheels have assumed an angle with what was their original course, but that both axles are at righl angles with the frame and consequently parallel with each other.
It would appear to us that so long as the axles remain parallel and both at right angles with the frame, •the grinding action is merely delayed for A New Departure in Dog Engagement.
THE arrangement of dogs shown in patent No. 298,186,
by the "Maybachblotorenbau Ges., of Friedrichshafen-onBodensee, Germany,' would appear at first sight to be the usual form of dog which is Sloped on its faces to facilitate engagement. On closer eXaMination, however, we find that the slopes are in the reverse direction to which we are accustomed to see them. The object'aimed at is to induce an idling slog slightly to revolve by means of the sloping faces so that final positive engagement may be more easily effected. It is possible that this effect may be achieved, but one might expect to hear a terrible clattering before actual • engagement took place.
An Electric-magnetic Brake.
THE brake described in specification No. 282,646, The Warner Electric Brake Corporation, of Illinois, 'U.S.A., is a self-energizing type in which the initial braking force is supplied by means of an electro-magnet which attracts a ring so tha:-, it contacts with a revolving portion of the drum; the drag caused by this ring operates the lower lever shown in the left-hand view. This lever carries on its shaft an expander cam of ordinary pattern, so that the drag from the magnetic ring, operating through the slot shown,
1140 a period, and that, as the curved course is continued, the tyre grinding must eventually take place. In some of the recent patents we have described, aiming at the same result, viz., the truer tracking of the wheels, the central axle has, when cornering, assumed an angle with the rearmost axle, thus bringing all axles to a position where they approximately radiate from a common centre around which the vehicle is turning. In the Karrier scheme springs are provided to centralize the axles. Mention is also made of a connection to the steering, as shown in the small view, by means of which the axles can be controlled simultaneously with the steering wheels. We should Imagine that to control the driving wheel axles in this manner would be an impossibility, and we cannot see what additional advantage would be gained if it were possible to carry out this part of the scheme.
expands the shoes at the lower part, the upper cam acting as a fulcrum.
A hand-operated lever is provided so that should the magnet fail to operate, the brake can be expanded by means of the upper lever shown, which is also provided with an expander cam. Either or both of the cams can be used at any time, studs preventing the rotation of the shoes by engaging in the slatted portion of the webs of the shoes.