Volume 37 — NEW WOODWORKING AND HOUSE AND CARRIAGE BUILDING INVENTIONS.
Reading edition
IMPROVED THILL COUPLING.
Josiah Kitzmiller, Keedysville, Md.—This is an improvement upon that form of thill coupling in which a pivoted cap is employed to slide over the end of the bolt or pin which secures the eye of the thill iron to the lugs or ears of the axle clip, the said cap serving to prevent the said pin from becoming accidentally displaced without the use of a screw nut or other securing device. It consists in the construction and arrangements of a spring catch for holding said pivoted cap down to its place against any tendency to rise accidentally, the said spring catch being located in a transverse groove or recess in the cap and between the cap and the adjacent lug and being provided with a beveled head and square shoulder, which engages with the under side of the lug to hold the cap down. The merit of this arrangement is that the catch is concealed from sight by the complete inclosure of the spring and the position of the beveled head beneath the coupling, and hence the exterior of the coupling presents a plain, smooth, and neat appearance, free from catches or projections, which would be liable to hook into the clothing in getting into or out of the carriage.
IMPROVED VEHICLE SPRING.
Fredrick W. Faber, Columbus, Texas.—This invention consists in combining an auxiliary spring with a spring suspended from goosenecks attached to the axle, the said auxiliary spring being attached to the axle, and provided with yokes for embracing the suspended spring, the object being to provide a device for steadying the main spring and preventing lateral motion.
IMPROVED TIRE HEATER.
Philip W. Cassil, New Athens, O.—To the top of the furnace or firebox is secured the ring heating chamber, which consists of the ring plate having a ring flange or rim formed around its outer edge. To the ring plate are attached the outer ends of a number of arms, the inner ends of which meet in the center of the ring plate, and have a journal attached to them. The journal may be hollow or solid, and upon it is placed a hub to which are attached a number of radial arms, to the outer ends of which is attached a rim. The rim fits against the inner part of the ring plate, and forms the inner wall of the heating chamber.
IMPROVED CHIMNEY COWL.
Andrew F. Barry and Ira G. Lane, New York city.—This invention is a chimney cowl or ventilator which will deflect the natural current of air, so that a draft is continually maintained. To the upper end of a sheet metal chimney top is attached a strip of metal, bent into a spiral form, and having spaces between the successive convolutions of the spiral. The spirals overlap each other, and increase in diameter towards the top. The coils are connected at intervals by stays, and the end of the upper and outer coil is tapped on to the one that precedes it, and is trimmed off horizontally, and upon it is placed an ornamental border. The wind, striking this top from any direction, is deflected so as to cause a draft. The device is claimed to be ornamental in appearance, is cheaply and easily made, and does not obstruct the chimney.
IMPROVED WAGON AXLE.
Wilbur F. Buckelew, Shreveport, La.—The object of this invention is to strengthen the wooden axles of wagons, and to fasten the skeins so that they will not become loose. A wooden axle is grooved longitudinally upon its under side throughout its entire length, to receive a rod, which is reduced in size at its ends, and threaded to receive the nuts. This rod is bent so as to conform to the tapering portion of the axle upon which the skein is placed. The skeins, having countersunk outer ends, are placed on the ends of the axle, and nuts having a beveled face corresponding to the countersunk ends of the skeins, are placed on the ends of the rod, and clamp the skeins securely on the axle. By giving the nut this peculiar form, it contains more threads than it otherwise would, and is in consequence stronger. The rod not only serves to retain the skeins securely in their places, but it also acts as a stay or truss rod for the axle, greatly strengthening it.
IMPROVED WAGON BRAKE LEVER.
Jacob P. Outson, Racine, Wis.—This invention consists of a curved ratchet bar and two levers working on the same pivot, one carrying a spring pawl, that engages with the curved ratchet bar, and the other carrying a stud for throwing the pawl out of the notches of the ratchet bar. When the brake is to be applied to the wheels of the wagon, one lever is thrown forward, carrying with it the other lever; and the pawl, by engaging the notches of the bar, holds the lever at any desired point. When it is desired to release the brake first named, the lever is drawn back, moving first the length of the slot, the stud striking the pawl and throwing it out of engagement with the ratchet bar, when the lever may be carried back to any required position.
