US768636A - Driving mechanism for self-propelled vehicles. - Google Patents

Description

No, 768,636, PATENTED AUG. so, 1904. E. THOMSON & H. LEMP.

DRIVING MECHANISM POR SELF PROPELLED VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED 001222, 1902.

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lnver'rbors: EllhuTl-womson,

b3 Hermann Lem p,

@M www@ No. 768,636. PATENTED AUG. 30, 1904. E. THOMSON & H. LEMP.

DRIVING MECHANISM EUR SELFI PROPELLED VEHICLES.

APPLICATION HLM) ocmzz, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

` i/Lnesses: InvehCoY's: /W 5% Elihuhomsor'l,

No. 768,636. PATENTBD AUG. 30, 1904. I

` v E. THOMSON & H. LEMP. DRIVING MEGHANIS'M FOR SELF VPROPELLED VEHICLES APPLICATION FILED 00T.22, 1902.

No MODEL.

a SHEETS-SHEET a.

5 Y n o O .C vm s c ,7V/VI, te w/f-.I` f. D VI.1..( .|17 ...n nh@ v Il. .N wm., m. lili |1|- -t il i l. 11,1, lljlllllrlli lrllllllllllllliljlll i @auf Patented August 30, 1904.

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ArnNr ELIHU THOMSON, OE SVAMPSCOTT, AND HERMANN LEMP, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS, BY DIRECT AN l) MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATTON OF NEW YORK.

DRIVING IVIEICHANISIVI FOR SLF-PROPELLED VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 768,636, dated August 30, 1904.

Application filed October 22, 1902. Serial No. 128,283. (No model.)

To rr/Z 'Ll/71,0771, it 12m/y concern:

Be it known that we,ELIHU THOMSON, residing at Swampscott, and HERMANN LEMP, residing at Lynn, county of Essex, and State of Massachusetts, citizens of the United States, h ave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Self-Propelled Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to driving mechanism for self-propelled vehicles, and more especiallyY to those wherein worm-gearing forms or enters into the construction between the motor and the driving' wheel or wheels.

The object of the invention is to improve and simplify the construction of the mechanism, whereby its life may be increased and the parts rendered accessible for inspection or repairs.

Other features of novelty will be referred to specifically hereinafter.

For a consideration of what we consider to be novel and our invention attention is called to the specification and claims appended thereto.

In the accompanying' drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of our invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a vehicle. Eig. 2 is a plan view thereof with the body removed. Eig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the intermediate driving-shaft and worm. Fig. et is an enlarged longitudinal section of the rear axle and differential gearing, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a roller for the axle-bearing.

1 represents the vehicle-body, which is provided with a suitable frame 2. The vehicle illustrated is provided with two seats 3; but the number can be variedv to suit the requirements. The vehicle is under the control of the reversing' device 4 and the throttle-lever 5. The steering-wheels are mounted on stubaxles 6, which are connected by the rods in the usual manner with the steering lever or handle. The body is supported above the axles by suitable springs 7. In the present illustration four springs are shown; but the number and arrangement can be varied to suit the conditions of operation.

Mounted below the vehicle-body at any convenient point, but preferably in the forward part away from the boiler, is a motive device S. In the present instance it is a steam-engine; but any other form of motor can be employed without departing' from our invention. Extending transversely with respect to the body is a support 9, and to said support is bolted' a bearing 10 for the main shaft 11 of the motor. The support 9 also sustains one end of the motor, the other end being supported by the tube or rod 12. Detachably secured to the end of the driving-shaft is a fork 13, to which is pivotally secured a piece 14.. The piece 15 forms the connection between the driving and driven shafts and is pivotally secured to the fork 16, the latter being rigidly secured to the driven or intermediate shaft 17. In other words, the piece 15 is pivotally secured by bolts to the two forks and forms the power-transmitting medium between them. The forks and connecting parts constitute a universal connection between the driving-shaft of the motor and the intermediate driving-shaft 17. As shown, the driven shaft is horizontal; but it can be inclined, if desired. We consider it best to so arrange the parts that the shaft is horizontal when the vehicle is loaded. It is necessary to employ a universal connection between the parts of the shaft in order that the engine may move up and down freely with respect to the driven axle without causing the parts to bind or cramp. It also enables us to mount the motor in a horizontal position with the axle-driving gear in a plane above or below that of the driving-shaft. Again, such a connection permits of the parts'being assembled without'extraordinary care being taken in alining. This latter feature is important, because the average repairer is compelled to work without the gages commonly used in factories for insuring the proper position and relation of the parts with respect to each other. The universal connection must be arranged to move with the vehicle-body and gg fies,

universal joint, two distance bars or tubes 1S 5 are employed.

rlhcsc bars are united one end with the rear axle and at the other end are l pivotally secured to hangers i9,the latter being' secured to the body or to some portion of its frame. From Fig'. 2 it will be noted that the dotted line 2l) passes through the centers of the pivots of the distance-bars 13 and also through the pivot or pivots of the universal coupling, showing them to be in line. Furthermore, the center line of pivots is arranged in the saine horizontal plane as that of the drivingshaft. B v reason of this construction entire freedom of movement is obtained.

The driving-wheels 21 are located at the rear of the vehicle; but they may be located otherwise, if desired. The wheels are rigidly fastened to the divided axles 22 23, the former being solid in the present instance and the latter tubular. There is a limited amount of movement between the axles toward or away from each other. due to the elasticity of the springs. The aXle 22 is provided with end nuts 25 to hold the wheels in place and prevent the parts of the axle from separating'. The body-springs are provided with supports 2t. which rest on the axle. The leaves of the spring are held together and secured to the support 26 by the clamp 27 and by the bolt 23, which passes through them. rfhe support 2G is bored out to receive the hard-steel lining 28 that surrounds the sleeve 29, and between the two are a number of hard-steel rollers 30, made in the form of a coiled spring, Fig. The bearings are provided for each rear spring and take the weight of the vehicle-body and parts carried thereby. At the ends of the rollers are provided pieces 31 to prevent endwise movement. rlhe side of the bearing-support nearer the wheel has a hub-like extension 32, which carries the stationary element of the brake mechanism. Suflicient clearance is provided between the axle-sleeve 23 and the extension to prevent the parts from rubbing. 'l his arrangementdispenses with the necessity of lubrication at that point. The stationary element 33 of the brake is clamped to the extension by the inclined set-screw 34. Only one of these set-screws is shown; but it is to be understood that more can be used, if desired. Extending from the brake element 33 is lug 35, which engages the support 26 and assists in holding' the parts in place. On the lower part of the support for the spring' are formed ears 36, and mounted therein is a brake-actuator 3T, which spreads or expands the stationary cylindrical brake element and causes it to grip the brake-drum 33, carried b v a To the actuator is connected driving-wheel.

an arm 39, and this in turn is connected by a rod orl equivalent device with a brake-actuator under the cont-rol of the operator. From the foregoing it will be seen that the support 26 not only forms a cradle or support for the body-spring, but it also carries a part of the brake mechanism and a roller-bearing'.

The power of the motor is transmitted to the driving-wheels bymeans of a worm and differential gearing, the latter permitting one wheel to move at a different rate of speed than the other, as in turning corners. 40 represents a bevel-gear which is rigidly secured to the axleesleeve 23, and 4l represents a second bevel-gear facingl the lirst and which is rigidly secured to the axle 22. The adjacent faces of the hubs of the gears are finished, and situated between them and acting as a spacer is the hub of the Worm-wheel 42. Situated between the gears 40 and 41 in a manner to engage the teeth on both and carried by the worm-Wheel are pinions 43. In Fig's. 3 and 4 two pinions are shown: but the number can be varied, if desired. lt is preferable to employ at least two in order to better distribute the strains. Surrounding the pinions and sleeved on the axle 22 is a wormwheel 42, which meshes with the worm 44, that is driven by the main driving-shaft of the engine through the medium of the universal connection and the intermediate shaft 17. The relation between the teeth on the drivingworm and on the worm-wheel is such that the worm can drive the wheel when power is applied thereto or the wheel can impart rotary motion to the worm when the vehicle is coasting. By reason of this construction we are enabled to dispense with all clutches and their operating mechanism, which would otherwise be necessary.

rlhe pinions 43 are mounted on a support 45, which has as many radially-extending arms there are pinions, each of said arms constituting a pivot for a pinion. The support is boredl centrally and is sleeved on the hub 46 of the worm-wheel 42. A Hange on one side of the hub prevents it from slipping laterally, and the hub of the left-hand bevel-gear 41 prevents it from moving in the opposite direction. The pinions are held against radial movement by the shoulders 47 and the nuts and. washers 48. The web of the wormwheel 42 is provided with as many openings asthere are pinions, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3. By reason of the construction described it is possible to arrange the pivots for the pinions so that their centers coincide with the central plane of the worm-wheel without boring through the teeth of the worm, which is the usual practice. When the latter is followed, the teeth have to be plugged afterward, and the results are far from satisfactory.

The right-hand beveled gear 40 is provided with an elongated hub and is rigidly secured to the wheel-carrying sleeve 23 by the lcy 5t).

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described.

vpreviously described.

The right-hand driving-Wheel is secured to the same sleeve by the key 51. (Shown in elevation.) The wheel v52 has an elongated hub which terminates in a screw-threaded end on one side and in a brake-drum 38 on the other. The sleeve 23 is provided with a shoulder 53 at a point between the spring-carrying support and the differential gearing, and seated on this shoulder is a collar 5-1, which is prevented from turning by a pin. Between the collar and the support is a wearplate or washer 55. Between thenut 25 and therighthand end of the sleeve 23 and the hub is a collar 56, and by changing the thickness of this lcollar compensation can be had for the wearing of the parts. rlhe end of the hub is closed by a detachable screw-threaded cap 57.

The left-hand beveled driving-gear 41 is secured to the shaft or axle 22 by the key 58, and the hub is elongated somewhat to form a part of a bearing. Mounted on the aXle and secured thereto by the right-hand end of the key 59 is a sleeve 60, which is of the same eX- ternal diameter as the sleeve 23. The object in using this sleeve is to permit the use of interchangeable bearings on the right and left hand sides of the vehicle. In other words, it forms a lining. The end of the sleeve engages with a shoulder or collar formed on the shaft, and the parts are prevented from moving longitudinally in the manner previously The arrangement of the brake and thespring-support is also the same as that Lubricant is supplied to the bearings by the cups 6l. The key 59 in addition to holding the sleeve 60 secures the wheel to the part 22 of the axle.

Each-of the elongated hubs of the bevelgears forms a part of a roller-bearing, the other part being carried by the gear-casing itself. Between the bearings and the fianges of the gears are wear-plates 62, which also serve to prevent lateral movement of the gearcase with respect to the gears.

The gears are inclosed in a casing made up of separable parts. ln the present instance the casing is made of two principal parts 62 and 63. The parts make a snug titwith the elements of the axle and are held together by bolts 64. which pass through lugs formed on the side thereof. The line of division between the parts is in a plane parallel with that of the intermediate driving-shaft'l7. The end of the shaft is supported in a bearing carried by a detachable screw-threaded piece 65. Mounted in the piece 65 and at the end of the drivingshaft is a roller-bearing 66 of anysuitable construction, and between the bearingand the end of the worm is a roller thrust-bearing 67. The worm can be removed from its shaft by removing the plugI 65 and rotating the shaft '17. The worm being' secured to the shaft by a spline will move longitudinallythereon. In the rear of the gear-casing and at a point readily accessible is a detachable screw-threaded plug 68 by means of which lubricant can be introduced into the casing. Situated just above the plug and secured to the casing by screws is a plate 69, which prevents `the screw-threaded piece 66 from turning when the parts are in service. As will 4be seen, the gearing is entirely inclosed wit-hina casing which prevents access of dust and dirt, and by fillingl the casing with a certain amount of lubricant the parts will runquietly and be well lubricated. The sleeve 23, opening into the casing, will also receive a certain amount of lubricant. wie have found that where the reduction between the driving-shaft and the worm-wheel is from about one to five up to about one to eight that very satisfactory results can be obtained. In the present instance the teeth of the worin-wheel have a lead of about three inches. Both the reduction and the lead can of course be varied somewhat to suit the requirements; but the worm-wheel is preferably so arranged that it can drive the worm. f

In order to support the gear-casing and prevent the parts from being unduly strained under the action'of the driving-worm, a suitable frame is provided. In the present form of our invention the frame for preventing the gear-casing from turning comprises a single support or tube; but it is to be understood that this can be modified without departing from our invention. The essential feature is to provide a means for preventing the gearcasing and the auxiliary or intermediate driving-shaft bearing from turning' and to lconnect said means to the vehicle body by a pivotal connection. The frame tube or support 70 is rigidlysecured in a socket formed in the gear-casing at one end and at the op-vv posite end is provided with a bearing which engages with the intermediate shaft 17.

The socket 7l is provided with a shoulder to receivethe thrust-collar 72 and rollers 73.

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By reason of the' thrust-collars and rollers located at opposite ends of the worm all longitudinal movement thereof is prevented,"'l`l1e worm end of shaft 17 is provided with a rollerbearing 7 3. that is supported by the socket.

The bearing is held in place by the thrustrings 72 and a collar formed on the shaft. The end of the supporting-frame tube 70, which is nearer the motor, yis provided with a socket 74, thatis rigidly attached thereto. In

this socket is mounted a roller-bearing 75,

having acage 76 for retaining the rollers. The socket is linedv with a hardened-steel shell 77, forming a bearing-surface. Secured to the end of the shaft 17 is the fork 16, which has an elongated hub. and surrounding this hub is a hardened sleeve 73, having a cupshaped liange at its outer end. Between the flange and the rollers is a packing of felt or similar material 79to preventlubricant from Working' out and dirt from working into the bearing.

From the construction described it is evident that any tendency for the gear-casing and the bearing to revolve around the rear axle, d uc to the load on the vehicle, is resisted by the support 70, and that since the bearing at its outer end is carried by the shaft 17 all of the strains of transmission are carried by the latter. le prefer to place the socket '74: and its bearing at some considerable distance from the gear-casing, because the effective leverage exerted by the casing on its support decreases as the length of the support increases. lVe wish it to be understood, however, that our invention is not limited to placing the socket and its bearing at lany specified point on the shaft. It will be noted that supporting the bearing on the shaft 17 gives to it the same relation with respect to the motor that the'shaft has-that is to say, it will not bind when the vehicle-bod y moves up and down, neither will it bind if the parts are not accurately alined because of the universal coupling. To put the matter in a different way, the advantages of a univeral joint are provided for the bearing, yet only a single joint is provided for both. To put the matter in a still different way, the socket and bearing are supported by a universal coupling from the spring-supported vehicle-body through the medium of the parts 17, which also forms an element in the driving mechanism, thereby performing two functions with the same piece.

1n accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes we have described the principle of operation of our invention. together with the apparatus which we now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but we desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illhistrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

W' hat we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is4

1. 1n combination, a vehicle-body, axles therefor which are movable toward and away from each other to a limited extent, springs which unite the body with the axles, a gearwheel mounted on one axle, a second gear engaging therewith, a motor mounted on the spring-supported body, a universal coupling between the motor and the second gear, a tube which surrounds and supports the shaft ofthe motor, and a distance-bar for holding the motor at a fixed distance from the axle carrying the first-named gear.

2. 1n a vehicle, the combination of a body, a motor, an axle, a driving-shaft, worm-gearing between the axle and shaft, a casi ng therefor, a tube for preventing the casing from turning, and a bearing for one end of the tube which engages with the shaft.

3. VIn a vehicle, the combination of a body,

a motor mounted thereon, an axle, a worm- .gagement with the wheel, a universal coupling between the motor and the shaft, and a support for the bearing which engages with the said coupling.

11. ln com bination,aspring-supported body, a motor mounted thereon having a drivingshaft, an intermediate shaft, a fiexible coupling between the shafts, a driven shaft, a worm-gearing between the intermediate and the driven shaft, a distancebar having the same centers of motion as the coupling and the driven shaft, a casing for the gearing, a bearing for one of the shafts that is carried by the casing, and means for preventing the casing from rotating.

5. In a vehicle, the combination of a springsupported body, driving-wheels and an axle, a motor mounted on the body, gearing connected to the wheels, a bearing for the driving-gear which is sleeved on the axle, a driving connection between the motor and the driving gear, a longitudinally extending frame surrounding the shaft for preventing the bearing from turning around the axle, a universal connection between the frame and the vehicle-body, and a pair of distance-bars whose centers of motion coincide with that of the universal connection.

6. In a vehicle, the combination of a body, a driving and driven axle, springs which are attached to the body and the axles, a motor mounted on the body, gearing between the axle and motor, a flexible coupling included in said gearing, a frame for holding' the gearing in mesh that is supported by the body, and a flexible coupling in said frame.

7. 1n a vehicle, the combination of aspringsupported body, a motor mounted thereon, a driving-axle, springs secured thereto and to the body, agear-case sleeved on said axle, gearing within the case, a frame which is supported by the body for preventing the case from turning, a universal connection in said frame, and distance-bars which preserve the relation between the. motor and the drivingaxle.

8, In combination, a vehicle-body, a motor mounted thereon, an axle, worm-gearing, a shaft foi' driving the worm, a tube which surrounds' the shaft for preventing the worm from rotating and which is partially supported by the said shaft, anda flexible coupling between the shaft and the motor.

9. In avehicle, the combination of aframe, a body mounted thereon, a driving and a driven axle, a motor mounted on the frame, springs between the frame and the axles, a gear mounted on one of the axles, a shaft for transmitting motion from the motor to the axle, a universal connection for said shaft, a bearing for the axle end of the shaft, and an elongated frame for preventing the bearing from rotating around the axle which is supported by the shaft at a point adjacent to the coupling.

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10. In combination, a vehicle-body, an axle, a motor, worm-driving gearing, a shaft for transmitting motion from the motor to the gearing, and a gear-casing which is sleeved on the axle, a tube which surrounds the shaft and is sleeved thereon for preventing the casing from turning, and a distance-bar Jfor maintaining a fixed separation between the motor and the axle.

11. In avehicle, the combination of a body, a motor mounted thereon with its drivingshaft extending longitudinally of the body, an axle, a worm-wheel on the axle, an intermediate shaft which forms a continuation of the driving-shaft, a flexible coupling between the two shafts, a worm that is ,mounted on the intermediate shaft and engages with the gear, the pitch of the worm and gear being such that the gear can drive the worm, and a pair of adjustable distance-bars situated on opposite sides of the driving-shaft and secured to the body for preserving the relation between the motor and axle.

12. In a vehicle, the combination of a springsupported body, a driving-axle, gearing on the axle, a motor, a pair of transverse framerods to which the motor is secured, a case for the gearing which'is sleeved on the axle, and a frame which is connected to the case and is pivotally supported by the body.

13. In a vehicle,the combination of a spring'- supported body, a motor mounted thereon, a driving-axle, a worm-wheel mounted on the axle, a shaft which is provided with a worm and extends from the motor to the wormwheel, a case which surrounds the worm-gearing and carries a bearing for the shaft, a frame for preventing the case from rotating, a pivotal connection between the frame and the vehicle-body, and a pair of distance-bars that are pivotally secured to the body of the driving-axle.

14. In a vehicle,thecombination of a springsupported body, a motor mounted thereon, an axle, a driving connection between the motor and axle, a universal joint in said connection, a bearing for the driving connection, a tube which surrounds the connection and is carried by the spring-supported body for preventing the bearing from turning', distancerods extending between the axle and the body, and pivotal connections between the rodsand the body, whose centers of motion coincide with that of the universal joint.

15. In a vehicle, the combination of a springsupported body, a motor mounted thereon, a gear which is carried by the axle and is driven by the motor, a universal coupling between the motor and gear, a gear-case, and a fr ame supported by the universal coupling which prevents the gear-casing from rotating.

16. In a vehicle,the combination of a springsupported body, a motor mounted thereon, a gear which is carried by the axle and is driven by the motor, a gear-case, a frame which is -the driving-gear, a divided casing which surrounds the gears and contains a bearing for the worm, and a motor that is connected to the worm and is mounted on the spring-supported body.

18. In a vehicle,the combination of a springsupported body, a divided axle, a worm-wheel mounted thereon, a worm meshing therewith, a shaft for driving the worm, a bearing for the shaft, differential gearing between the ends of the axle, an inclosing case for the gears, having a socket, and a tubular frame which is seated in the socket and sleeve on the shaft for preventing the bearing from turning.

19. In combination, a worm-wheel, a worm meshing therewith, a driving-shaft therefor, a bearingl for the shaft, a casing which surrounds the wheel and worm and supports the bearing, a frame-tube which lits intoa socket formed in the casing, and a bearing which is sleeved on the shaft and supports the end of the frame-tube.

20. In combination, a springsupported body, a divided axle, a worm-wheel mounted thereon, a worm meshing therewith, thrustbearings for the worm, a support for the bearings, bearings between the support and the axle, dierential gearing between the ends of the shaft, and a frame which is supported by the body for preventing the support from turning.

21. In combination, a spring-supported body, a divided axle, a pair of oppositely-disposed bevel-gears, a worm-wheel situated between the gears, pinions which mesh with the gears and are carried by the wheel, a worm which engages with the wheel, a casing which supports the worm, a bearing for supporting the casing on the axle, a frame which is supported by the body for preventing the casing from turning, and a universal coupling in said frame.

2Q. In combination, a divided axle, a sleeve mounted thereon, a pair of bevel-gears one of which is connected to the axle and the other to the shaft, pinions connecting the gears, a worm-wheel which surrounds the gears and carries the pinions, a worm, a casing, a bearing for the worm which Vis supported by the casing, a frame for preventing the casing from rotating, and a universal coupling in said frame.

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Vgears each having an elongated hub, a pinion 23. In a vehicle, the combination of an axle, a sleeve mounted thereon, a pair ot' bevel gears one of which is connected to the axle and the other to the shaft, pinions for connecting the gears, a worm-wheel which surrounds and carries the pinions, a worm, a casing, a bearing' for the worm which is supported by the casing', a 'frame for preventing the casing from rotating', bearings for the casing which support it on the axle, a springsupported body, and a pair of distance-bars 1 which are pi votally connected to the bod y and to the axle.

24. In combination, an axle, a pair of bevelmeshing with both gears, a worm-wheel that carries the pinion, a worm, a casing which incloses the g'earing and is provided with a socket, bearings t'or the casing which are supported by the gear-hubs, and a tube for preventing' the casing from turning', which is seated in the socket.

25. 1n combination, an axle, bcvelgears mounted thereon, a wheel which is sleeved on J the axle between them, pinions which mesh with the gears, and a support for the pinions 1 which is sleeved on the worm-wheel.

26. ln combination, an axle, gears mounti ed thereon, pinions which mesh with the gears, a worm-wheel that is situated between the gears andA is sleeved on the axle, a sup port for the pinion which is sleeved on the wheel, and aworm which meshes with the` wheel.

27. In combination, ashai't, a worm mounted thereon, a wheel meshing' with the worm, and a casing surrounding the worm and wheel which is provided with an opening' in line with the shaft through which the worm can be removed.

28. 1n combination, a shaft, a worm mounted thereon, a wheel meshing with the worm, a casing surrounding the worm and wheel which is provided with an opening in line with the shaft through which the worm can be removed, and a cover which normally closes said opening'.

29. ln combination, a shaft, a worm mounted thereon, a wheel meshing with the worm,

, a casing lsm'rounding the worm and wheel which is provided with an opening in line with the shat't through which the worm can be removed, a cover which normally closes said opening', and a bearingvfor the shaft that is carried by the cover.

30. In combination, ashaft, a worm mounted thereon, a wheel meshing with the worm,

l a casing surrounding' the worm and wheel which is provided with an opening in line with the shaft through which the worm can be removed, a screw-threaded plug which normally closes said opening, and parallel land thrust bearings which are carried by said plug'.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 20th day ot' October, 1902.

ELIHU THOMSON. HERMANN LEMP.

lifitiiesses:

DUGALD MoKILLor, J om' A. McMANUs.

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