IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMMON ROAD CARRIAGES, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Stephen Tuddenham, of Lambeth, in the County
of Surrey, Engineer, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF COMMON ROAD CARRIAGES, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO RAILWAY
ROLLING STOCK."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Stephen Tuddenham at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 9th October 1873.
I, STEPHEN TUDDENHAM, of Lambeth, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMMON ROAD CARRIAGES, PARTLY
APPLICABLE TO RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates chiefly to the general construction of common
road carriages, such as dog carts, gigs, hackney carriages, and the like,
and is partly applicable to railway rolling stock, whereby economy in

page_text: their construction is effected, with increased durability, facility for
packing when required, and a neater and more elegant appearance is
obtained.
According to one part of my Invention I substitute in a great measure
light wrought-iron framing of an ornamental section for the heavy 5
wooden framing heretofore employed, the metal which I use consisting
of rolled, beaded, or fancy sectional iron bars of a section, -
the bead or beads not only improving the appearance of the work but 1
adding considerably to the strength thereof. These bars when used
simply as part of the framing are left with their beads intact, but when
applied, as I propose, to the construction of step irons, dash and splash
irons, lamp irons, rail irons, and "shure staves," I prefer for the sake of
elevance to out awrox noutions of the hood as honda
1
The sides of dog carts and similar vehicles where practicable are
made so as to be readily removeable, the pannels being secured in inde- 2
pendant metal frames of their own, which in conjunction with ordinary
angle irons are held together in position by strap bolts connected to the
iron framing, and passing through the shafts and scroll irons.

page_text: In making Hansom's and four-wheel cabs I make the entire frame of
forged wrought iron in lieu of wood, and I make the pannels of light
wrought-iron framės filled in with thin wood, leather, or sheet metal,
such pannels being screwed to the main framing. The windows are
fixed at any altitude by means of lateral racks in the door frame and
suitable catches on the framing of the window.
Where tail boards are used, as for example, in dog carts, I employ a
self-acting fastening, consisting of a slotted quadrant hinged to each side
of the tailboard, and working in studs in the cart, a lateral slot at about
a right angle to the curved slot with which it communicates, and
projecting from the upper side thereof, being formed on cach quadrant
near to its hinged end, so that on pushing up the tailboard tho said
lateral slots will drop over the studs and effectually secure the tailboard
in its closed position. By having other lateral slots or notches formed
at intervals in the curved slots the tailboard may be secured at any
desired elevation or angle.
I make the wheels with cast-iron naves or stocks bored truly for the.
reception of the axle journal, thus dispensing with the usual axle boxes.
The spokes are composed of wrought-iron beaded bars of the kind horein-
before mentioned, and with portions of the bead cut away on opposite
sides to improve the appearance. These spokes are secured into the
stock and driven into the felloes, which are of wood, and tired or shod
in the usual manner. Or the spokes may be of wood, and driven into
holes cast in the stock.
In some cases I make an oil chamber in the centre of the body of the
stock, and supply the oil thereto through a radial opening closed by a
screwed plug, whereby the ordinary brass chambered nut in front may
be dispensed with, as the front of the stock may be closed by having
merely a metal disc screwed thereon. A collar is formed on the axle,
which is contained in a recess between the back of the stock and a disc,
which is bolted over it from the inner side, a leather packing being
interposed to make an oil-tight joint.
I make the springs for common road carriages, as well as for railway
rolling stock, without nippling and slotting, the several plates being
secured in a trough-shaped box by a single central bolt passing through
the plates and through the bottom of the box, the head of such bolt

page_text: being countersunk underneath the box. This box, with its spring, is
bolted either to lugs forged on opposite sides of the axle itself, or is
secured to the axle by a clip piece and bolts, the usual unsightly clip
staples being dispensed with. A groove or recess having bevelled sides
is made accross the under side of the bottom of the spring box to fit into
the top of the axle, the angles of which are also bevelled so as to afford a
perfect bed for the box. A lug is formed on the inner side of the spring
box, and rests upon the axle, to which it is secured by a bolt or screw in
order to ensure against any lateral displacement of the spring box on the
axle. Or a double box may be used, the upper one to receive the spring,
as above described, and the lower one to fit over the solid flap on the
axle, both boxes being cast in one. In cases where the spring is under
the axle the upper box fits over the solid flap on the axle, and the lower
one carries the spring.
If desired in heavy work a top clip may be screwed across the top of
the spring box at each end bearing upon the spring plates, which aro
thus more securely retained in their places. In double elliptic springs I
use two of such boxes, the one being secured to the body of the vehicle,
and the other to the axle.
I also in some cases when using double elliptic springs turn an eye on
the end of each spring, and insert these eyes into a metal box, which
serves to unite the ends of the two springs in lieu of, as in the usual
method, forging joint eyes on the ends of the springs.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Stephen Tuddenham in the Great Seal Patent 25
Office on the 9th April 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, STEPHEN
TUDDENHAM, of Lambeth, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, send.
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her 30
Letters Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand cight hundred and seventy-three, in the 37th
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and

page_text: grant unto me, the said Stephen Tuddenham, Her special license that I,
the said Stephen Tuddenham, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Stephen Tuddenham, my executors, ad-
ministrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF COMMON ROAD CARRIAGES, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO RAILWAY
ROLLING STOCK," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Stephen Tuddenham, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and scal, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
3 Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Stephen Tuddenham, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:-
My said Invention relates chiefly to the general construction of
common road carriages, such as dog carts, gigs, hackney carriages, and
the like, and is partly applicable to railway rolling stock, whereby
economy in their construction is effected with increased durability,
facility for packing when required, and a neater and more elegant
appearance is obtained.
According to one part of my Invention I substitute in a great
measure light wrought iron framing of an ornamental section for the licavy
wooden framing heretofore employed, the metal which I use consisting
of rolled, beaded, or fancy sectional iron bars, the bead or beads of
such bars not only improving the appearance of the work but adding
considerably to the strength thereof. These bars when used simply as
part of the framing are left with their beads intact, but when applied as
I propose to the construction of step irons, dash and splash irons, lamp

page_text: irons, rail irons, and shure staves," I prefer for the sake of elegance to
cut away portions of the bead or beads, thereby producing a highly
ornamental appearance.
I make the sides of dog carts and similar vehicles where practicable so
as to be readily removeable by securing the pannels in independent metal
frames of their own, which'in conjunction with ordinary angle irons are
held together in position by strap bolts connected to the main iron or
wood framing and passing through the shafts and scroll irons.
In some cases as for light carts and gigs I dispense entirely with the
bottom wood frame, the iron frame holding the sides rosting directly
upon the pedestals on the shafts.
Where tailboards are used, as for example in dog carts, I employ a
self-acting fastening consisting of a slotted quadrant hinged to each side
of the tailboard and working on studs in the cart, one or more lateral
slots, at about a right angle to the curved slot with which it or they
communicate and projecting from the upper side thereof being formed
on each quadrant, so that on pushing up the tailboard one of the said
lateral slots in each of the quadrants will drop over the studs and
effectually secure the tailboard in its closed or other desired position.
In making the bodies of Hansom's and four wheel cabs, broughams, a
and other similar vehicles, I make the main frame of forged wrought
iron in lieu of wood, and I make the pannels of light wrought-iron or
malleable cast-iron frames, filled in with thin wood, leather, or sheet
metal, such pannels being screwed or otherwise secured to the main
framing.
I also propose in some cases to employ cast malleable iron or other
metal connections for uniting the parts of the main framing and to cover
the metal framing on both sides with wood. The windows may be fixed
at any altitude by means of lateral racks fitted in the window frame with
suitable catches carried on a rod or bar extending across the lower portion {
of the door frame in which the window slides, the said catches being
actuated from the inside by means of a knob or handle on the said rod
or bar.
I make the wheels of vehicles with cast-iron naves or stocks bored
truly for the reception of the axle journal, thus dispensing with the
usual axle boxes. The spokes are composed of wrought-iron beaded

page_text: bars of the kind herein-before mentioned and with portions of the bead
cut away on opposite sides to improve the appearance'; these spokes may
be secured into the stock by screwing and casting them therein, and
their outer ends are driven into the felloes which are of wood, and tired
or shod in the usual manner. Or the spokes may be of wood and driven
into holes cast in the stock.
In some cases I make an oil chamber in the centre of the body of the
stock and supply the oil thereto through a radial opening closed by a
screwed plug whereby the ordinary brass chambered nut in front may be
dispensed with as the front of the stock may be closed by having merely a
metal disc screwed thereon. A collar is formed on the axle which is con-
tained in a recess between 'the back of the stock and a disc which is
bolted over it from the inner side, a leather packing being interposed to
make an oil tight joint.
I make the springs for common road carriages as well as for railway
rolling stock with or without nippling and slotting, the several plates
being secured in a trough-shaped box by a single central bolt passing
through the plates and through the bottom of the box, the head of such
bolt being countersunk underneath the box. This box I make in two
parts bolted together in such a manner as to be capable of being
adjusted to suit various widths of spring, and I secure the same with its
spring either to lugs forged on opposite sides of the axle itself, or secure
it to the axe by a clip piece and bolts, the usual unsightly clip staples
being dispensed with. A groove or recess having bevelled sides is made
across the under side of the bottom of the spring box to fit on to the top
of the axle, the angles of which are also bevelled so as to afford a perfect
bed for the box. A lug is formed on the inner side of the spring box
and rests upon the axle, to which it is secured by a bolt or screw in order
to ensure against any lateral displacement of the spring box on the axle,
or a double box may be used, the upper one to receive the spring when
situate above the axle as above described, and the lower one to fit over
the solid flap on the axle, both boxes being cast in one. In cases where
the spring is under the axle the upper box fits over the solid flap on the
axle and the lower one carries the spring.
If desired in heavy work a top clip may be screwed across the top of
the spring box at each end thereof, and bearing upon the spring plates
which are thus more securely retained in their places; or the spring box

page_text: may be extended at each end thereof to receive a bolt so as to bear upon
the springs. In double elliptic springs I use two of such boxes, the one
being secured to the body of the vehicle or to the under carriage thereof,
and the other to the axle. I also in some cases when using double
elliptic springs turn an eye on the end of each spring and insert these
eyes into a metal box which serves to unite the ends of the two springs
in lieu of as in the usual method, forging joint eyes on the end of the
spring.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood, I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose
.shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the corre-
sponding Figures.
Figure 1 of my Drawings represents a side elevation of the body
portion of a dog cart constructed according to my Invention; A, A, is
the framing of the side pannels, which framing I make of rolled, beaded,
or other ornamental bars bent to the desired shape, and connected at
their ends either by welding or by means of malleable cast iron or other
metal connecting pieces B, B. This frame is secured to the ordinary
"wood frame C by angle iron, and is filled in with thin sheet metal, thin
wood, or other suitable material a which is screwed to the inner side of
the framing A; the two side pannels are connected together by straps
which extend across and support the bottom of the cart, the whole being
fixed to the shafts D by bolts which pass through the angle irons above
referred to, and through the under frame C and pedestals E into the said
shafts. The pannels are strengthened and ornamented by fixing on the
outer surface thereof one or more ornamental bars F which may be
made of brass or other metal of a section similar to that employed in
the construction of the pannel frames A, the ornamentation being
further increased by cutting away portions of the bead at suitable
intervals; or these ornamental bars may be formed by casting them in
suitable moulds. G is the tailboard hinged at 6 to the bottom of the
cart in the usual manner; H are slotted quadrants hinged at c near the
upper part of each end of the tailboard G; these quadrants are provided
with lateral slots & which engage with a fixed stud e and support the
tailboard at any desired elevation, the slot d' nearest the hinge c serving
to hold the tailboard in a closed position.

page_text: Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the framing of a Hansom's
cab of my improved construction. A is the main frame the sides of
which may be forged in one with the bottom, or (as I prefer) made in
parts and connected together by malleable cast iron or other suitable
connections. The framing B, B, for supporting the wood or other
pannels may be made of wrought iron welded together, and to the main
framing, or it may be made of malleable cast iron and connected to the
main frame A. by suitably shaped cast metal or other coupling pieces C, C.
D, D, are the ribs for supporting the roof, these ribs are connected to
the two side frames by the castings E to which the said ribs and the side
frames are rivetted, screwed, or otherwise secured. I enclose the main
frame A and the pannel frames B in wood, to which wood the outer and
inner coverings are attached.
Figure 3 represents a transverse section of a portion of the framing
showing the mode of covering the same. A is the metal frame; B, a
strip of wood channelled or recessed on one side thereof, or plain on both
sides if required, to fit over the edge of the metal framing A; this
channelled or recessed wood may be about half an inch in thickness, and
may be made in convenient lengths to be cut into pieces to suit the
various parts of the framing. C, O, is another strip of wood of the same
width as the strip B but plain on both of its surfaces, and need not exceed
threc-sixteenths of an inch in thickness. The two strips B and O with the
metal between them are secured together by screws which pass through
holes drilled in the metal frame A for that purpose. The outer and
inner coverings of the body may be of thin wood, leather, or outer
suitable material, nailed or otherwise, secured to the strips of wood
which enclose or cover the sides of the metal framing A and B, and I
ornament the outer covering with ornamental metal bars secured by
screws which enter the covering strips and thereby further increase the
strength of the body of the vehicle.
By constructing the bodies of cabs, broughams, and other similar
vehicles of light wrought iron I obtain considerably more room
internally than when the usual heavy wood framing is employed in
their construction without increasing their external dimensions, whilst
at the same time greater strength and lightness are obtained. Figure 4
is a longitudinal section of the boss or hub of one of the wheels of a
common road carriage illustrating my mode of constructing the same.

page_text: A is the main body of the hub or boss which is constructed of cast iron
having the spokes B screwed or cast therein, or holes may be cast in the
hub for the reception of the spokes. I prefer to make the spokes B of
rolled beaded bars having portions of the bead cut away at intervals to
improve the ornamentation thereof. The outer ends of the spokes are
inserted in the felloes which are then tired or shod in the usual way.
The spokes B may if desired be made of wood and driven into holes cast
in the hub to receive them. The hub A. is bored out truly to receive
the axle O, which axle is formed with a collar D to fit into a recess
formed in the back plate or disc E. This back plate or disc is secured
to the main body A of the hub by screws A', thereby holding the wheel
firmly on to the axle. Between the back plate or disc E and the main
body A. of the hub, also between the collar D and the back plate E, I
interpose a packing of leather a to prevent the escape of the lubricating
material contained in the central recess F in the hub. G is an opening|
cast in the hub for the introduction of the lubricating material, which
lubricating material is conveyed to the bearing portions of the axle by
longitudinal grooves & formed therein for that purpose. The opening G
may be closed by a screw plug or otherwise. It will be seen that I
entirely dispense with the special axle boxes and fixing nuts usually
employed, and simply cover the end of the axle by a plate of metal H
which I fix to the hub by screws, as shewn.
Figures 5 and 6 represent respectively a longitudinal vertical section
and plan of one arrangement for connecting the springs to the axletree
of common road carriages. A, A, are the plates forming the spring,
these plates I make with or without the usual slots and nipples, and
secure them to a metal trough-shaped box B by a single central bolt C
which is passed through an opening formed in the bottom of the said
box and through the spring plates A, the whole being held together by
the nut D. The head of the bolt C is countersunk into the under side
of the bottom of the box B, and bears upon the upper surface of the
square portion of the axle tree E. The axletree is bevelled on its two
upper edges, which bevelled edges fit into corresponding levels a formed
on the under side of the spring box B, thereby preventing any longi-
tudinal displacement of the spring. F is a lug formed on the box B to
receive a bolt or screw K for securing the said box to the axletree and
thereby prevent any lateral displacement thereof. The axletree E is

page_text: secured to the box B by a metal strap or clip piece G which embrances the
under and vertical sides of the axle, and is secured to the box B by the
bolts b, b, the heads of which bolts are countersunk into the bottom of
the box as shewn. I prefer to make the spring box B in two parts
longitudinally through the thickness of the bottom, and bolt the two
parts together at their ends, as shown at B³, whereby it is rendered
capable of being adjusted to suit various widths of springs, or I form
the bottom in one with one of the sides, and attach the other side to it
by means of screws or otherwise.
Figures 7 and 8 represent respectively a partial side elevation and
longitudinal section and an end elevation of a slightly modified con-
struction of spring box. In this arrangement I dispense with the metal
strap or clip piece G before referred to and secure the box B by bolts b
to the lateral wings or lugs H formed on the axletree E itself. The
box B which is made in two parts as in the previously described
arrangement is formed with side C projecting downwards from the
bottom thereof, which projecting sides are recessed or cut away so as to
fit over the axletree and thereby more effectually prevent any lateral
displacement of the said box. For heavy classes of vehicles I employ
additional top clips which I screw to the spring box at opposite ends
thereof so as to bear upon the spring plates, thereby more. securely
retaining the said plates in their places and affording greater strength
to the box, or I extend the sides of the spring box so as to receive a bolt
at each end thereof to bear upon the spring plates, as shown in dotted
lines in Figure 7. The outer surfaces of the sides of the spring box
may be made to any ornamental device and may be cast in brass, gun
metal, malleable iron, or other suitable material.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 10 a transverse section
of a spring box shewing its application to springs when situate beneath
the axletree. In this arrangement the box is made double, that is to
say, with an upper and a lower trough-shaped recess, the upper one to
receive the axle E which is secured to the box by the bolts 6 in a similar
manner to that last described, and the lower one to receive the spring
plates A secured to the box B by the central bolt O, as is clearly shewn
in the Drawing. H are metal covers screwed or otherwise secured to
the sides of the spring box for the purpose of excluding dirt and further
strengthening the sides of the box.

page_text: When applied to double elliptic springs, as shewn at Figure 11, two
spring boxes are employed, the lower one A to connect the spring to
the axle, and the upper one B to connect the spring to the under
carriage or to the body of the vehicle as the case may require.
Figure 12 represents the end portion of a double elliptic spring shewing
my mode of connecting the ends of the springs. A, A, are the spring
plates, on the end of the longest of which I form an eye which I insert
in the cast malleable iron or other metal box B, and secure the same
therein by bolts passed through the sides of the said box, and through
the eyes formed on the ends of the spring plates, thereby dispensing
with the usual expensive method of forging joints on the spring plates.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observo in conclusion that what I consider to
be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to:
me by the herein-before in part recited, Letters Patent is,―
First. The application and use to and in the construction of the
framing of dog carts, gigs, and other similar light common road carriages
of light wrought-iron bars of an ornamental section, substantially as
herein-before described and illustrated by my Drawings.
Second. Constructing dog carts and other similar light common road
vehicles with pannels, having independent frames capable of being readily
removed from the main frame when desired, as herein-before described.
Third. The system or mode of fixing the tailboard of dog carts and
other vehicles at any desired elevation by means of slotted quadrants in
combination with fixed studs, substantially as hercin-before described
and illustrated by my Drawings.
Fourth. Constructing the framing of the bodies of cabs, broughams,
and other similar vehicles of light wrought iron, substantially in the
manner herein-before described and illustrated by my Drawings.
Fifth. Constructing the pannels of cabs, broughams, and other similar
vehicles with wrought iron or with malleable cast-iron frames filled in
with wood or other suitable material, as herein-before described and
illustrated by my Drawings.
2

page_text: Sixth. The mode of fixing the wheels of common road vehicles on
their axles by means of a back plate or disc in combination with a fixed
collar on the axles, substantially as herein-before described and illus-
trated by my Drawings.
Seventh. The mode of securing the springs of vehicles on their axles
by means of spring boxes, constructed and arranged substantially as
hercin-before described and illustrated by my Drawings.
Eighth. Constructing the springs of common road vehicles and railway
rolling stock without the usual nipples and slots, and securing the same
in spring boxes, substantially in the manner herein-before described and
illustrated by my Drawings.
Ninth. Connecting the ends of cleptic springs by means of metal
boxes in lieu of forming joints on the ends thereof, substantially as
herein-before described and illustrated by my Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Stephen Tuddenham, have to this
· my Specification set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of April,
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
STUDDENHAM
STUDDENHAM (L.S.)