22,447. Beaumont, W. W. Dec. 10. Motor road vehicles.-Comprises epicyclic change-speed gearing and reversing gearing, means for operating or controlling the same in conjunction with the brakes, the construction of the framing, means for controlling the tension of the driving belt or chain, and steering-mechanism. (1) One form of the epicyclic change-gearing is shown in Fig. 1. The belt pulleys H, H<1>, H<2>, are mounted loosely on the shaft G which is to be driven. Between these pulleys and keyed fast to the shaft G are toothed wheels g, h, and adjacent to these and, keyed fast on the pulleys H<1>, H<2>, are two similar wheels i, f. Gearing with these four toothed wheels are toothed planet pinions b, c, d, e mounted on a stud or studs a carried by the pulley H. The pulleys H', H<2> each have a brake drum, as J<1>, by which either can be held stationary, while either of the other pulleys is driven. This gives two speeds ; two more speeds may be got by holding the pulley H ; a fifth and highest speed is obtained by driving two of the pulleys simultaneously, which locks the gear. The gear may be modified by doing away with the belt pulley H<2> (shown in dotted lines) but retaining the brake drum J, thus giving four speeds. In another modification, the planet pinions are carried by the outer pulleys, which are made capable of being locked to the middle pulley by cone clutches. These are pressed into contact by spring engaging- devices, but can be disconnected, when desired, by means of forked levers and a toggle linkage. This epicyclic gearing may be made to reverse by suitably choosing the ratio of the wheels. Lubrication is provided for by forming reservoirs for oil in the spindles a and shaft G, and by making the pulleys deeply flanged to carry oil or grease. The entrance of dust between the pulleys is prevented by flexible screens l, l of leather or thin metal. The inner gear-wheels may be secured by a combined key and screw plug as shown at j. As shown, the above gears are driven by belt pulleys; but an arrangement is shown in the Specification in which they are driven by a sliding pinion on a shaft disposed longitudinally in the vehicle. (2) Fig. 6 shows in side elevation and Fig. 7 in plan a light locomotive furnished with belt gearing of the above kind. In this, the motor M drives the pulley N, whence by a belt are driven the pulleys H, H<1> on the rear axle G. The vehicle frame A rests at the rear end on the spring B of an underframe F connected to a shaft E capable of sliding in brackets D on the frame A. By means of the hand-lever T and toggle links, this underframe, together with the rear axle, can be drawn forwards or thrust backwards so as to slacken or tighten the belt for stopping or driving as required. The controlling-devices for the gear are supported by a transverse bearer a carrying a shaft w. This can be rocked by a pedal V for putting into or out of action the brakes J, J<1> for changing speed. Further speed changes are provided for by a belt fork carried by a bracket 5 sliding on the bearer a and operated through the links 3 and y<1> by the hand-lever Y. Whenever the belt is shifted, a frictional holder b is simultaneously pressed against the pulley H by a screw 9 carried by the link 3. At the ends of the shaft ware also carried sleeves 18 by which from the pedal f<1> through the shaft E and links g the brakes I, I are operated. Tyre brakes, not shown in the Figure, are also mounted at the ends of the bearer a at 10. These abut against a stop. and are thus forced against the tyres whenever the underframe is drawn forwards by the hand-lever T to slacken the driving-belt. (3) Toothed reversing-gear may be provided in connection with the belt pulley N, as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig 18. The pulley N is loose on an extension shaft B attached to the engine flywheel 0, but is normally connected therewith by a spring-actuated clutch L. This clutch is in the form of a pinion gearing with pinions R carried by a disc B", which pinion in turn gear with an internal toothed wheel attached to the pulley N. By means of a rod passing through the centre of the shaft B', the clutch L can be disengaged when the reverse motion is required. At the same time the disc B<11> is gripped so as to be held stationary, both actions being effected by turning the shaft E<1> by a pedal p. (4) Lock or irreversible steering is provided for by the employment of epicyclic gearing in the steering hand-wheel k as shown in Fig. 20. By rotating this hand-wheel on the fixed tubular pillarj, the steering-shaft l is operated ; but motion is not communicable in the reverse direction.