Patents Completed.
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Complete specifications of the following patents will be sent to any address in the United Kingdom upon receipt of eightpence per copy at the Sale Branch, Patent Office, Holborn, W.C.
STEERING MECH A NISM .—Austin Motor Co.. Ltd., and A usi 20,169, dated 30th August, 1910.-1n this specification there is described means for imparting the turning movement of the steering column of a car to the rocking shaft, from which the movement is imparted to the steering wheels. At the bottom of the steering column there are provided right-handed and left-handed screw threads. These mesh with thread* formed on two sliders which surround the column and are rocked up and down by the rotation of the column. The lower ends of these sliders engage opposite sides of a shaft which is rocked by their nioCon. From this shaft the motion i3 transmitted in the ordinary way to the steering wheels. Backlash and slackness in the mechanism generally are avoided by drawing the steering pillar down on to the rocking shaft, a suitable cap-nut being provided for this purpose. The sliders used in this apparatus may be of various forms, but preferably they are semi-circular and of considerable length, overlapping the screw thread which does not operate them, so as to provide a good bearing surface. The two semi-circular sliders are kept apart by keys carried in the steering socket. Special bearings are provided to take up the longitudinal thrust on the steering column.
GEARBOX.—R,enold and Hans Renold, Ltd.—No. 2,056, dated 27th January., 1911.—In this specification there is described a gearbox of the type in which chain driving is used. The object of the invention is to provide such a gearbox in which a countershaft remains idle when direct driving is being need. The reason for this is that the wear of a chain when running idle is much more
serious than is the case with ordinary gears. The construction also enables greater silence to be obtained, as there is no gearing in motion when on the direct drive. In the construction illustrated, the driving shaft on the left extends about one-third of the, way into the gearbox and is provided with a bearing for the driven shaft which is co-axial with it. Three clutches are provided, one on the driving shaft and two on the driven shall. Of the latter, the one on the left is arranged to clutch the two shafts together for the direct drive, while the other two bring the various members into operation to give different speeds. The opera. tion of the clutches is controlled by a mechanical interlock, so that, when, for instance, the direct drive is put on, the other clutch or clutches are disengaged and thereby the countershaft is not driven in any way whatsoever. The details of the construction are fully described and illustrated in the specification.
HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION APPARATUS.—Hele Shaw and Another.— No. 12,943, dated 27th May, 1910.—This invention relates to hydraulic powertransmission apparatus, of the kind wherein a pump and a motor or motors are connected in closed circuit. One feature of the present invention comprises the use of a variable-stroke pump with a motor which form; the body of a vehicle wheel. Other features relate to the construction of the motor. Radial cylinders forming the spokes of the wheel have their pistons operatively connected with eccentric cams, so that the supply of power to the cylinders causes the rotation of the wheel. The eccentricity of the cam may be varied so as to alter the throw of the pistons, or to reverse the direction of rotation of the wheel, Various forms of eccentric may he used, as they are not neces-arily circular. Several alternative methods of construction are fully described and illustrated in the specification.
AIR, BLOWERS.—Stoltz.—No. 8,420 of 1911, dated under Convention 15th April, 1910.—One of the disadvantages of steam-driven vehicles has hitherto lain in the fact that, the fan or blower for the furnace and for the condenser is directly
connected to the engine shaft and its speed is proportional to that of the engine. Under these circumstances, when a heavy load comes on the engine, as for instance on a hill, the engine speed is diminished and instead of being able to increase the output of the engine by in
creasing the draught in the furnace and in the condenser, the draught is actually diminished, thereby reducing the power developed still more. According to the present invention, these blowers are driven from the engine at a variable speed and the variation is controlled by some lever or part which also controls, say, the admission of fuel to the engine. In the construction described, a friction drive is used and ordinary mechanical devices transmit the motion as required. An alternative construction which is described and illustrated makes provision for acting upon the mechanism by a member which is sensitive either to the steam pressure or to the temperature of the furnace, as required.
FUEL JET.—Hamill.—No. 21,090, dated 10th September, 1910.—The fuel nozzle described and illustrated in this specification is arranged so that it is readily inserted and removed from the carburetter and is capable of being rotated therein, being held in place by a simple locking lever. The jet is preferably tubular and provided at its up
per end with a knife edge. A cap is carried on a spindle and is also provided with a corresponding knife edge, which is capable of adjustment by means of a micrometer screw on a spindle, which extends through the tubular jet. Modifications are also described and illustrated in the specification.