| 释义 |
Pedrail Obs. exc. Hist.|ˈpɛdreɪl|
[f. pedi- + rail n.2]
A type of traction engine, patented in 1899 and 1902 by B. J. Diplock; it moves forward by means of articulated feet, instead of wheels, which support rollers upon which run rails fixed to the vehicle itself.
1902Daily Chron. 29 Dec. 6/6 A recent invention of Mr. Diplock—the ‘Pedrail’—was exhibited. 1903Ibid. 23 Nov. 6/4 The Pedrail was primarily designed as a traction engine for the transport of heavy goods on common roads. 1908Chambers's Jrnl. Mar. 270/1 The ped-rail traction⁓engine—an engine equipped with a number of feet placed around the periphery of its driving-wheels, thereby imparting a walking action. 1916Ibid. Feb. 83/1 This device is called the pedrail, and consists of a flat chain round the wheels.., the chain being armed with discs offering a flat surface to the ground. 1959W. J. Hughes Cent. of Traction Engines xvi. 212 At the beginning of 1902 some interesting experiments were being carried out with Diplock's ‘Pedrail’ engine... The particular engine under notice..besides having the Pedrail wheels,..had four⁓wheel drive. 1960R. H. Clark Devel. Engl. Traction Engine xiv. 291 In Diplock's Pedrail the rail (the bottom concave run) runs over the feet by virtue of the rollers interposed between them. |