THE ONE-WHEELED CAR. 89 



a car with one wheel only; and that by so doing, any 

 country not precipitous can be negotiated by a motor car 

 so fitted, the car being always on an even keel. 



On the English principle that if it is possible to make 

 one part have two or more functions, it is good mechanics 

 to combine the top and motor. You are therefore, referred 

 to Plate V., Vol. xxin., 1889, Plate III., Vol. xxrv., 1890, 

 and figures 3, 4, pages 62, 63, Vol. xxxn., 1898, of our 

 Society's Journal for samples of motors in which the 

 cylinders revolve on fixed crank shafts instead of using 

 the ordinary method of fixing the cylinders and rotating 

 the crank shaft. There are many ways of arranging radial 

 cylinders and vertical shafts, but in all of them the 

 cylinders act as a powerful gyroscope at right angles 

 to the shafts, and the pistons and rods gyro on the crank 

 pins. The two-stroke oil motor is particularly suitable for 

 a gyro-engine, the speed of rotation removing several air 

 cooling and lubricating difficulties. 



The power may be taken from the gyro-engine to the 

 tired wheel either by the friction pulley and disc, or by the 

 worm gear as in the models. The friction method is best, 

 as any momentary obstruction on the road automatically 

 compresses the spring, reducing the ratio of the disc to 

 the pulley. The axis of the tired wheel need not be 

 immediately under the axis of the motor; it may be any- 

 where to suit the requirements of the weights to be carried. 

 The friction gear is remarkably good for starting or stopping 

 the car. For very high speed of engines the worm gear 

 and friction gear may be combined. The model shows that 

 the least touch on the ground by any point other than the 

 tread of the wheel, serves to slue the plane of the tired 

 wheel in the direction it is wished to go. A fan rudder 

 may also be used. 



