A Combined Bassinet and Mail Cart or like Vehicle for Children.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 2nd July, 1890-Accepted. 6th Sept. 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Combined Bassinet and Mail Cart or like Vehicle for Children.
I WALTER POWELL of 70 Lower Hurst Street in the City of Birminghau
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Children's vehicles, commonly known as bassinets, and mail carts, are made separate,
or independent articles.
The object of my invention, is to so construct a vehicle, that it admits of being
converted from one to the other viz. :-a bassinet into a mail-cart, and a mail-cart into
a bassinet.
A bassinet consists of an enclosed, or four-sided body part, whilst a mail-cart
consists of an open-ended body part, with a rest panel dividing off the same about its
middle.
In constructing a combined vehicle according to my invention, I make up the fixed
body part of sides or uprights, mounted upon a body frame of which the shafts, which
are straight or curved upwards, are outward extensions.
The sides and frame body part, are connected rigidly together, by cross bars or
stays, which form the rests for the movable floor of the vehicle.
To the opposite open ends of the said body part or body frame, two panels are
pivoted or jointed at or near their inner ends, in such a manner, that when folded
inwards, they form the bottom to the vehicle, but when turned upwards, (slightly
inclined outwards) against stops, they constitute means for closing in the ends of the
vehicle.
Directed transversely, within the middle of the vehicle, are two inwardly jointed or
pivoted panels, which when disposed vertically between intervening stops constitute
the back rest or rests, of an open ended vehicle or mail-cart, but when folded flat, or
turned horizontally, they form the bottom to the vehicle at the time that the end panels
are enclosing the ends for a bassinet.
Thus to convert a bassinet into a mail cart, turn upwards, and vertically, the inner
jointed panels, constituting the bottom, then secure them in their subdividing or
transverse middle position, by fork clips, catches or other locking devices; this done,
then turn inwardly and horizontally, the end jointed panels, which now rest upon the
framing cross bars, and form the bottom or seats to the vehicle, which is now-open-
ended.
On the other hand to convert a mail cart into a bassinet, turn downwardly the
middle panels, and upwardly the outer panels, when an enclosed sided vehicle is thus.
obtained.
The body of the vehicle is mounted upon angle framing, provided with axle foot'
rests, wheels and other accessory parts common to vehicles of the kind as herein
described.
As a modification, I connect one of the inner panels, to one of the outer panels
respectively with an universal joint and pivot, and pivot the outer panels to the body
framing so that to convert the vehicle from a bassinett, into a mail cart, the inner
panels are brought to the .open ends of the vehicle, by bringing them forward, and
turning or rotating the inner or floor panels upon their pivot centres; so. that the
floor panels always remain stationary to the framing; whilst the outer panels are
successively transferred from the middle to the ends, according to the kind of vehicle
required.
Instead of transferring the parts as aforesaid, they may be made detachable, and
placed in their respective positions, by a sliding movement or movements.
As a further modification I make both the inner and outer panels, or both the outer
and flooring panels, in the form of a continuous flexible panel, working or sliding

page_text: within channels or races, cut or formed within the opposite inside parts of the sides or
framing.
The channels or races, are of the shapes of the longitudinal section of a bassinet and
mail-cart combined; so that by displacing the said flexible panelling, which is a little
more than the inside breadth of 'the vehicle, the said vehicle can be converted into a
bassinet, or into a mail cart at will.
Thus, when as a mail-cart the middle of the panelling is drawn upwards into the
middle or vertical channel or channels in the sides thus forming the back rest panel
or panels, and the bottom of the vehicle, and leaving the ends of the said vehicle
open.
When as a bassinet, the flexible panelling is pulled down or straightened out at
middle, and brought out at the ends of the vehicle, so as to make an enclosed
sided one.
Or instead of a flexible panelling being made in a continuous length, I make it in
halves or segments, which when transposed or run into assigned positions, a vehicle
can be converted as aforesaid as may be desired.
The flexible panelling as last stated consists of narrow strips of wood or metal,
jointed together at their adjacent edges, so as to bend fold or take a curvilinear or
other path.
The flexible panelling, may move upon runners, disposed within the channels, or
runners may be placed upon the edges of the panelling which runs within the
channels.
Dated this 20th Jan of Ontahan 1880
WALTER POWELL.
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Combined Bassinet and Mail Cart or like Vehicle for Children.
I, WALTER POWELL of 70 Lower Hurst Street, in the City of Birmingham,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
Children's vehicles, commonly known as bassinets, and mail-carts, are made
separate, or independent articles.
My invention has for its object, the conversion, or transformation of one kind of
children's vehicle, or carriage, into that of another kind.
By my invention, a children's vehicle, designated a mail-cart, is convertible into
that of a bassinet, and vice-versa.
A carriage called a bassinet, consists of an enclosed, or a four-sided body part,
whilst a mail-cart consists of an open-ended body part, with a rest panel, dividing off
the same about its middle, and with foot-boards supported at its ends.
My invention consists of the one part, of a carriage, provided with jointed and
shifting panels or frames, and of the second part, in flexible panelling, whose edge, or
the edges of the strips or segments composing it, are made to run within grooves,
formed within the opposite inside parts of the body of the vehicle, in obedience to
the bending or folding of the same, which is adapted to take a curvilinear, or other
path.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, represents in perspective, a convertible
child's vehicle, constructed and arranged according to one form of my invention.
In this said Figure 1, the vehicle is shown as a mail cart, which is convertible into a
bassinet, as shown at Figure 2.
Thus, the vehicle is an interchangeable one, and admits of being converted from a
mail cart, into a bassinet, or a bassinet to a mail cart.
The transformation, or the converting of one vehicle into another, is accomplished
by folding down, and folding up panels.

page_text: Figure 3 represents a longitudinal vertical section of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of Figure 2, showing the panels, which in
Figure 3, form the back rest, as now being used as the floor of the vehicle, and with
the panels, which form the floor of the vehicle as aforesaid, now forming its end,
which are enclosed thereby.
Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a part of one of the joint ends of the panels, and
the body frame adjacent thereto.
Figure 6 is a front elevation of Figure 5.
a, a, are inner panels, and b, b, are outer panels, jointed respectively at their inner
and outer ends, by pins or studs, a², a², 2, 3, to the opposite sides c, of the body of a
vehicle, supported upon an open floor frame d, formed by longitudinal and transverse
struts, and bearers d³, d³.
e are shafts, angle framing, depending from the front and rear undersides of the
floor framing; gare foot boards, supported from the framing f, which has extensions
or legs f, and roller ³, at the respective ends.
The end framings f, f, f³, are connected together, and stayed by frame bars h,
connected at their middles, to the axle of the wheel j, which run loosely upon
its ends.
The inner panels a, a, which are jointed at a³, form when in the positions as in
Figure 3, back rests, for a mail cart, whilst the outer panels b, b, which are jointed
at 2, forms the flooring, which rests upon the bearers d³, of the open floor
framing d.
The outer panels b, b, rest in their assigned positions Figure 3, by their own weight,
whilst the upper and inner sides of the rest panels a, a, come against a stop k, and
are there held by forked and jointed clips 7, which are simply turned over, and the
branches of the forks made to embrace the outer and opposite sides of the said
panels a, a, when the same are in their back rest positions, for a mail cart as in
Figure 3.
In a bassinet, the inner and jointed panels a, a, are turned down to the plane, and
upon the top of the body floor framing d, and with the outer panels b, b, which form
the seat as in Figure 3, turned up against the stops 'm, so as to enclose the ends of
the carriage.
Thus, when a mail cart is required to be converted into a bassinet, as in Figure 4,
the panels b, b, are turned back, and incline against siops m, whilst the rests a, a, are
turned to the plane of the bottom framing, when a vehicle, with enclosed ends and
sides is thereby produced.
To convert the bassinet Figure 4, into a mail cart, Figure 3, turn the panels a, a,
obliquely upwards, and against the stop k; then turn inwardly the panels b, to the
plane of the bottom of the carriage, as in Figure 3.
•
Figure 7 represents in perspective, a convertible carriage, or a carriage with
interchangeable parts, constructed according to another form of my invention. The
said Figure 7 represents a mail-cart, and Figure 8 represents the same converted into
a bassinet.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal vertical section of the carriage (as it stands) Figure 7,
upon an enlarged scale.
Figure 10 represents a longitudinal vertical section of the bassinet, Figure 8.
Figure 11 is a section of the flexible panelling.
Figure 12 is a plan of the same, and Figure 13 is a modification of the panelling.
a is a flexible panel, composed of a series of lengths, strips, or segments a³, of wood,
metal, or other material, working edge and socket-wise one within the other, and
united together longitudinally by a flexible or other cord or band a³, passing through
the said lengths or strips a².
This flexible panelling runs within a groove, or a combined groove of the longi-
tudinal section of the back rests, ends, and flooring of a carriage or vehicle.
The said grooves or channels cut within the opposite inside faces of the sides b, and
wherein the extreme ends of the said segments work, consist of horizontal grooves b¹, bª,
running nearly from end to end of the said sides, and adjacent to the open, floor

page_text: .
trame d, consisting of longitudinal and transverse struts or bearers ², d²; and which
said grooves b,, continue into end grooves, and back rest grooves 6³, so that
when the panelling lies evenly within the horizontal grooves ₁, and the end
grooves 3, which are sunken within both sides of the vehicle, as aforesaid, a bassinet
is produced as in Figure 10, but when the flexible panelling, which is snake-like, is
threaded or run into the back rest grooves 63, and the floor grooves 6*, then a mail-
cart is produced as in Figure 9.
The open floor frame, and sides of the vehicle, with shafts e, are supported by angle
or other framings f, with foot boards g, feet 12, roller f³, and frame bars h, connected
to axle, of wheels j.
By means of the flexible panelling, it is thus seen, that the parts of it, which partly
form the floor and enclosing ends to the vehicle, become interchangeable, by the placing
of it, in one or other of the grooves.
For a mail-cart, the flexible panelling is threaded or passed into the continuous
grooves, as indicated by the arrow, to wit, b, 63, 6, but for a bassinet, it is passed into
the grooves ; b, b, as set forth in Figure 10.
The segmental lengths of the panelling, are connected to the cord or band passing
through them, by small screws a³.
In Figure 13, the ends of the segments a², are provided with studs, or right-angled
extensions a, which work within' an undercut groove 5, of the whole of the
running-in grooves, so that transverse or lateral stay, is given to the sides of the
vehicle.
To make a flexible panelling run perfectly free, rollers may be placed upon the ends
of the segments, or the ends of some of them; and which rollers may work within
undercut or plain grooves.
By employing end pieces to the segments, or to some of them, the sides within
which the said ends run, are perfectly held or stayed together.
Although I have described in the second part, that the flexible panelling is
applicable for converting a mail-cart into a bassinet, or vice-versa, yet the same may
be employed for converting a one form of carriage into another, by changing the
direction and disposition of the grooves.
The panellings are secured in their assigned positions, by catches, or by other
means, although in Figures 9 and 10, I have shown the middles of the panellings
provided with a gapped like staple plate, which takes upon hooked like fasteners 1,
disposed at the middle of the frame of the vehicle, and although I have represented
the said panelling made in one piece, yet it may be made in segments, if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:―
First A convertible children's carriage, consisting of jointed and interchangeable
panels, slabs, or equivalents, which when turned up, and folded, or turned down in
positions as in Figures 1 and 3, form a mail-cart, but when in the positions as in
Figures 2 and 4, form a bassinet.
Secondly Combining with an open ended, and open or closed bottomed vehicle,
of interchangeable or convertible jointed panels, slabs, or frames a, a, and b, b, with
stops and m, as set forth in Figures 1 to 6, whereby a mail-cart is converted into a
bassinet, and vice-versa.
Thirdly-A convertible children's carriage, employing in connection with a
groove or grooves, or its or their equivalents, formed within the sides, or other parts of
the body of the vehicle, flexible panelling, which admits of its position being changed,
and by so doing, one form of vehicle is converted into that of another, substantially as
described and set forth in Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10.
Fourthly The combination with an open ended, and open or closed bottomed
vehicle, of a length or lengths of flexible panelling a, which runs or run within
grooves, or their equivalents 63 6', for a mail-cart, as in Figures 7 and 9, and b¹, 63, 64,
for a bassinet, as in Figures 9 and 10...

page_text: Fifthly Making the ends of the segments of flexible panellings, extended or
provided with studs or rollers, which run within undercut grooves, as well as the
ordinary running grooves, as described in Figure 13, whereby the sides of the vehicle
are stayed, or kept together, irrespective of the position or positions in which a
panelling or panellings may be.
WALTER POWELL.
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicant.