IMPROVEMENTS IN VEHICLES OR AMBULANCES FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF INVALIDS, INJURED PERSONS, FEVER OR CONTAGIOUS CASES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Utber Burt at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 4th September 1883.
JOHN UTBER BURT of 3 Holford Place Holford Square in the county of
Middlesex Coach Builder IMPROVEMENTS IN VEHICLES OR AMBULANCES FOR THE
CONVEYANCE OF INVALIDS, INJURED PERSONS, FEVER OR CONTAGIOUS CASES
The object of this invention is certain improvements in vehicles or ambulances
by which invalids or injured persons can be conveyed with ease and safety
specially arranged appliances being fitted in said vehicles for removal by hand
For the purpose of my invention I construct a long body vehicle with the
bottom set low to the ground The back part has a double hinged flap so arranged
that one portion which is provided with rails or iron rests forms a step and the
other portion a prop or support under the tail end of the vehicle to prevent a
jolting or up and down motion while a patient or an injured person is being carried
in or removed from the vehicle
The interior of the vehicle is provided with rails and springs to enable litter or
stretcher frames to be slid in upon rubber or other rollers at the sides or at the
centre of the bottom and sling hooks or appliances are also fitted to the upper
sides or from the roof for supporting one or more additional stretchers and also
mattresses if desired.
The roof also support sling straps for the use of the patient or for suspending,
say, a fractured leg.
The front part of the body of the vehicle is provided with a receptacle for
bandages and surgical appliances and for medicines for temporary relief of the
sufferers as required. The upper sides I leave open and cover the openings with
canvas capable of being unrolled and fastened by stud buttons. I also leave one or
more openings between the framework at the front lower sides and provide said
openings with sliding panels which when slid up or opened outwards enables an
attendant to lift or draw the head portion of stretcher close up.
The front end and tail portions of the vehicle are fitted with straps suspended
for the reception and support of an extra stretcher while the front part is so
arranged that a police or hospital stretcher can be fitted in without disturbing a
patient or patients who may be already on it.

page_text: The wheels of the vehicle have india rubber tyres or not as desired and the front
is provided with a seat for a driver if horses have to be used but the vehicle is
made so light in weight and so ovenly set upon the wheels that it can be easily
drawn by hand.
As a further improvement I make the drivers seat support of sufficient width
and depth as to leave room at each side for a clear passage from the inside of the
vehicle for communication with the driver. The support is provided with sliding
doors to enable the attendant to get at any medical appliance which may be
arranged therein from the inside.
The front of the vehicle is provided with curtains which can be drawn aside or
otherwise.
By this latter arrangement much of the usual iron work is dispensed with and
the forepart is capable of being utilized as a receptacle for surgical appliances
bandages medicines etc.
The body of the vehicle can be arranged with ventilators along the two upper
sides and with folding doors and self acting step at the back. The roof at the
central part can be carried to any convenient height and provided with glass
windows capable of being opened or closed. The veliicle can be used for infectious
and fever patients and readily cleansed and disinfected there being no cloth or
curtains in this arrangement to hold the germs of any contagious disease