GB190416345A - Improvements in or connected with Road Locomotives and Vehicles. - Google Patents

Abstract

16,345. Roberts, D. July 23. Vehicles with self-laid tracks.-A road locomotive or vehicle is adapted to run on an endless track consisting of a pair of pitch chains passing round front and rear sprocket-wheels, each chain carrying wooden blocks ; steering is effected by varying the speed of the chains. In the frame a of the vehicle are journalled shafts d, e, each carrying a pair of sprocket - wheels b, c. The propelling - engine, which may be of any type, is arranged to drive the rear shaft e through toothed gear g and balance gear. Each of the bearings i is made adjustable to allow for tightening or slackening the chain j. For the same purpose, a roller z carried on adjustable arms z<1> is provided. The weight of the vehicle is carried by the rollers k<1>, l<1>, m<1>, designed to run on a track s on the inner side of the chain. The chain consists of a number of links, each comprising a casting n having a pocket to receive a wooden block o, and also side cheeks p. Intermediate links q with side cheeks g' are connected to the castings n by means of pins r. The side cheeks have extension lugs p<1>, q<2> which are adapted to interlock with each other ; the adjacent castings n also abut against each other along the surface n<1>, so that the pins take only the stress due to propulsion. Steering is effected by means of a hand-wheel t, screw t<1>, lever t<2>, and coupling- rod t<3>, which oscillates the spindle u. This spindle carries two levers u<1>, u<2> which operate brakes v, w upon the bevel-wheels of the differential gear. The invention is described with reference to a road locomotive, bnt is stated to be applicable to any road vehicle, in which case the driving and steering gear is not used and either sprocket-wheel or both may be made to run loosely.