$ IN HANSOM' CABS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Johnstone, of the City and County of Edin-
burgh, North Britain, Coach Builder, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
$
IN HANSOM' CABS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Johnstone at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th January 1881.
WILLIAM JOHNSTONE, of the City and County of Edinburgh, North Britain,
Coach Builder. " IMPROVEMENTS IN HANSOM' CABS."
This invention relates to certain improvements in hansom cabs, and consists in
so constructing them that the side and back panels or frames may be lowered, or
the roof or top and side framing of such a vehicle can be folded down to form an
open carriage, or species of phaeton, for use in fine weather, or be fixed up in the
form of an ordinary hansom when desired.
The improved bansom is constructed either with wooden panels or with glass
frames at the sides, preferably the latter, and these panels or frames are fitted to
be capable of sliding down into recesses or "runs" formed for-them in the lower
part of the framing or sides of the vehicle, or to be kept up and closed in the
same manner as the glass frames in ordinary carriage doors. The back panel of
the hansom is fitted in a similar manner to slide vertically or nearly so into a
recess below when it is desired to use it as an open vehicle, and when the side
panels or glass frames and back panel are so lowered the roof or top part may still
be left up to form a sunshade.
•
When the hansom is to be transformed into an open phaeton, however, the roof
and its supporting frames or posts are also lowered. For this purpose the roof is
divided transversely near the centre, and the two parts are hinged so that the rear
portion may be folded or doubled inwards. The rear posts or side frames on which
the back part of the roof rests are also hinged in about a line with the bottom of
the glass frames or panels, and are folded down transversely at right angles to meet
in the longitudinal centre of the vehicle. The front posts or frames are made to
D

page_text: fold back, but are preferably centred by a strong rod or bracket on pins or studs.
fitted in the lower framing a short way back from the posts, so that the roof and
front posts, which are rigidly connected together, will not fall back when the rear
posts are lowered. After the rear part of the roof is folded inwards on its hinges
the front posts and roof are pulled back by the driver on the pins or studs as a
centre, and lowered until the upright posts lie horizontally on the lower framing or
sides of the vehicle, the driver's foot board, which is also hinged, having previously
been lifted to allow the projecting roof part to lie vertically at the back in a recess
below the foot board.
The driver's seat is also made capable of adjustment vertically by fitting it to
rest on side steps somewhat like a shelf at different heights to place the driver in
the most advantageous position in the different circumstances of the vehicle being
covered or open,

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Johnstone in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
23rd July 1881.
WILLIAM JOHNSTONE, of the City and County of Edinburgh, North Britain,
Coach Builder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HANSOM' ČABS.".
My said Invention relates to certain improvements in hansom cabs, and consists
in so constructing them that the side and back panels or frames may be lowered,
er and the roof or top and side framing of such a vehicle can be folded down to form
an open carriage or species of phaeton for use in fine weather, or be fixed up in the
form of an ordinary hansom when desired.
.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended for that purpose a Sheet of
explanatory Drawings, representing a-modification of my improved combined close
hansom cab.and open carriage which I shall now describe. In these Drawings the
same reference letters are used to mark the same or like parts when repeated.
Figure 1 of the Drawings is a side elevation of my improved vehicle fitted up as
a hansom cab; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same vehicle with the top or roof
and back and side frames folded down to form an open carriage or phaeton;
Figure 3 is an outside elevation of the back part of the vehicle corresponding to
Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a similar view corresponding to Figure 2; Figure 5 is an
end view showing the hinged part of the top or roof folded or hanging down;
and Figure 6 and 7 are respectively transverse vertical sections taken through the
back and side panels of the vehicle.
Referring to these Drawings the improved hansom when fitted up, as shown in
Figure 1, is very similar in appearance to an ordinary hansom, but the top or roof,
sides, and back panels are so jointed and fitted that the whole upper part of the
vehicle can be folded down, as shown in Figure 2, to form an open phaeton; or the
open carriage again transformed into a close hansom with very little trouble. For
this purpose the vehicle is constructed with wooden panels or with glass frames a
at the sides A, and these panels or frames are fitted in a manner similar to the
window frames of ordinary carriages, to be capable of sliding down into recesses or
runs" a¹ formed for them in the lower part of the framing or sides A of the vehicle,
as seen particularly in Figure 7, or to be kept up and closed in the same manner
as the glass frames in ordinary carriage doors. The back panel 6 of the hansom is
fitted in a similar manner to slide vertically or nearly so into a recess b¹ below
in the lower back part B of the carriage when it is desired to use it as an open
vehicle, and when the side panels or glass frames a and back panel b are so lowered,
the roof or top part C may still be left up to form a sunshade if desired.
When the hansom is to be transformed into an open phaeton however, the
roof C, C¹, and its supporting frames or posts C2, C3, are also lowered. For this
purpose the roof is divided transversely near the centre, and the two parts C, C¹,
are hinged at c, so that the rear portion C¹ may be folded or doubled inwards to
bear against the lower side of the front part C. The rear posts or side frames C³

page_text: on which the back part C¹ of the roof rests are also hinged at d in about a line
with the bottom of the glass frames or panels a; and are folded down transversely
at right angles to meet in the longitudinal centre of the vehicle, as shown
particularly in Figure 4. The front posts or frames C² are also made to fold back,
but are preferably fitted with a strong rod or bracket c² fixed to these frames C2,
and centred on pins or studs c³ fitted in the lower framing A of the vehicle a short
way back from the posts C³, and thus fitted so that the roof C and front posts C³,
which are rigidly connected together, will not fall back when the rear posts C³ are
lowered.
After the rear part' C¹ of the roof C, C¹, is folded inwards on its hinges,
as indicated in Figure 5, the front posts C and roof C are pulled back by the
driver on the pins or studs c³ as centres, and lowered until the upright posts C² lie
horizontally on the lower framing or sides of the vehicle, and the folded roof
lies vertically behind, as shown in Figure 2. The driver's foot board D, which is
also hinged at the rear, is previously lifted to allow the projecting roof part to lie
vertically at the back in a recess below the foot board, or in the space usually
occupied. by the footboard. A light railing C is fitted on the top of the rear roof
part C, and when the roof is folded down this glides over guiding brackets f fixed
on the sides of the carriage, and rests against these or the. rear part of the
framing A, to prevent any jar or vibration of the parts of the roof at the hinge.
The driver's seat E may also be made capable of adjustment vertically by fitting
it to rest on side steps somewhat like a shelf at different heights to place the
driver in the most advantageous position in the different circumstances of the
vehicle being covered or open. The vehicle is otherwise constructed and fitted
as an ordinarý hansom cab, as will be readily understood from the Drawings.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I wish it to be understood that I do not restrict myself to
the precise details herein described or delineated, but what I believe to be novel
and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
· The arrangement or combination of the parts of a hansom cab or vehicle, so
constructed that the panels or glass frames may be lowered, and the upper
framework and roof folded down to form an open carriage, substantially as
herein described in reference to the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Johnstone, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Johnstone, of the City and County of
Edinburgh, North Britain, Coach Builder, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN HANSOM
'
CABS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Johnstone at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th January 1881.
WILLIAM JOHNSTONE, of the City and County of Edinburgh, North Britain,
Coach Builder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HANSOM' ČABS."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in hansom cabs, and consists in
so constructing them that the side and back panels or frames may be lowered, or.
the roof or top and side framing of such a vehicle can be folded down to form an
open carriage, or species of phaeton, for use in fine weather, or be fixed up in the
form of an ordinary hansom when desired.
"
The improved hansom is constructed either with wooden panels or with glass
frames at the sides, preferably the latter, and these panels or frames are fitted to
be capable of sliding down into recesses or runs formed for them in the lower
part of the framing or sides of the vehicle, or to be kept up and closed in the
same manner as the glass frames in ordinary carriage doors. The back panel of
the hansom is fitted in a similar manner to slide vertically or nearly so into a
recess below when it is desired to use it as an open vebicle, and when the side
panels or glass frames and back panel are so lowered the roof or top part may still
be left up to form a sunshade.
When the hansom is to be transformed into an open phaeton, however, the roof
and its supporting frames or posts are also lowered. For this purpose the roof is
divided transversely near the centre, and the two parts are hinged so that the rear
portion may be folded or doubled inwards. The rear posts or side frames on which
the back part of the roof rests are also hinged in about a line with the bottom of
the glass frames or panels, and are folded down transversely at right angles to meet
in the longitudinal centre of the vehicle. The front posts or frames are made to

page_text: fold back, but are preferably centred by a strong rod or bracket on pins or studs
fitted in the lower framing a short way back from the posts, so that the roof and
front posts, which are rigidly connected together, will not fall back when the rear
posts are lowered. After the rear part of the roof is folded inwards on its hinges
the front posts and roof are pulled back by the driver on the pins or studs as a
centre, and lowered until the upright posts lie horizontally on the lower framing or
sides of the vehicle, the driver's foot board, which is also hinged, having previously
been lifted to allow the projecting roof part to lie vertically at the back in a recess
below the foot board.
The driver's seat is also made capable of adjustment vertically by fitting it to
rest on side steps somewhat like a shelf at different heights to place the driver in
the most advantageous position in the different circumstances of the vehicle being
covered or open,

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Johnstone in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
23rd July 1881.
WILLIAM JOHNSTONE, of the City and County of Edinburgh, North Britain,
Coach Builder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HANSOM' ČABS."
My said Invention relates to certain improvements in hansom cabs, and consists
in so constructing them that the side and back panels or frames may be lowered,
or the roof or top and side framing of such a vehicle can be folded down to form
an open carriage or species of phaeton for use in fine weather, or be fixed up in the
form of an ordinary hansom when desired.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended for that purpose a Sheet of
explanatory Drawings, representing a modification of my improved combined close
hansom cab and open carriage which I shall now describe. In these Drawings the
same reference letters are used to mark the same or like parts when repeated.
Figure 1 of the Drawings is a side elevation of my improved vehicle fitted up as
a hansom cab; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same vehicle with the top or roof
and back and side frames folded down to form an open carriage or phaeton;
Figure 3 is an outside elevation of the back part of the vehicle corresponding to
Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a similar view corresponding to Figure 2; Figure 5 is an
end view showing the hinged part of the top or roof folded or hanging down;
and Figure 6 and 7 are respectively transverse vertical sections taken through the
back and side panels of the vehicle.
Referring to these Drawings the improved hansom when fitted up, as shown in
Figure 1, is very similar in appearance to an ordinary hansom, but the top or roof,
sides, and back panels are so jointed and fitted that the whole upper part of the
vehicle can be folded down, as shown in Figure 2, to form an open phaeton; or the
open carriage again transformed into a close hansom with very little trouble. For
this purpose the vehicle is constructed with wooden panels or with glass frames a
at the sides A, and these panels or frames are fitted in a manner similar to the
window frames of ordinary carriages, to be capable of sliding down into recesses or
runs" a' formed for them in the lower part of the framing or sides A of the vehicle,
as seen particularly in Figure 7, or to be kept up and closed in the same manner
as the glass frames in ordinary carriage doors. The back panel 6 of the hansom is
fitted in a similar manner to slide vertically or nearly so into a recess b¹ below
in the lower back part B of the carriage when it is desired to use it as an open
vehicle, and when the side panels or glass frames a and back panel b are so lowered,
the roof or top part C may still be left up to form a sunshade if desired.
<<
When the hansom is to be transformed into an open phaeton however, the
roof C, C, and its supporting frames or posts C2, C3, are also lowered. For this
purpose the roof is divided transversely near the centre, and the two parts C, C¹,
are hinged at c, so that the rear portion C' may be folded or doubled inwards to
bear against the lower side of the front part C. The rear posts or side frames C³
on which the back part C¹ of the roof rests are also hinged at d in about a line
with the bottom of the glass frames or panels a, and are folded down transversely
at right angles to meet in the longitudinal centre of the vehicle, as shown
particularly in Figure 4. The front posts or frames C² are also made to fold back,
but are preferably fitted with a strong rod or bracket c' fixed to these frames (2,
and centred on pins or studs c³ fitted in the lower framing A of the vehicle a short
way back from the posts C², and thus fitted so that the roof C and front posts C²,
which are rigidly connected together, will not fall back when the rear posts C³ are
lowered.

page_text: After the rear part C¹ of the roof C, C¹, is folded inwards on its hinges,
as indicated in Figure 5, the front posts C and roof C are pulled back by the
driver on the pins or studs c³ as centres, and lowered until the upright posts C² lie
horizontally on the lower framing or sides of the vehicle, and the folded roof
lies vertically behind, as shown in Figure 2. The driver's foot board D, which is
also hinged at the rear, is previously lifted to allow the projecting roof part to lie
vertically at the back in a recess below the foot board, or in the space usually
occupied by the footboard. A light railing C is fitted on the top of the rear roof
part C, and when the roof is folded down this glides over guiding brackets f fixed
on the sides of the carriage, and rests against these or the rear part of the
framing A, to prevent any jar or vibration of the parts of the roof at the hinge.
The driver's seat E may also be made capable of adjustment vertically by fitting
it to rest on side steps somewhat like a shelf at different heights to place the
driver in the most advantageous position in the different circumstances of the
vehicle being covered or open. The vehicle is otherwise constructed and fitted
as an ordinary hansom cab, as will be readily understood from the Drawings.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I wish it to be understood that I do not restrict myself to
the precise details herein described or delineated, but what I believe to be novel
and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
The arrangement or combination of the parts of a hansom cab or vehicle, so
constructed that the panels or glass frames may be lowered, and the upper
framework and roof folded down to form an open carriage, substantially as
herein described in reference to the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Jolinstone, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
TATTOOVA
WILLIAM JOHNSTONE