IMPROVEMENTS IN ROAD VEHICLES, AND IN METHODS AND APPLIANCES, FOR PASSENGER AND GOODS TRANSPORT
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William John Brewer of 23 Rood Lane, in the City
of London, Civil Engineer, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN ROAD
VEHICLES, AND IN METHODS AND APPLIANCES, FOR PASSENGER AND GOODS
TRANSPORT
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William John Brewer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th April 1883.
WILLIAM JOHN BREWER, of 23 Rood Lane, in the City of London, Civil
Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROAD VEHICLES, AND IN METHODS AND APPLIANCES
FOR PASSENGER AND GOODS TRANSPORT
"1
My invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of the carrying
parts or cradles of road vehicles generally, and to a novel construction of goods cart,
to be hung or carried upon such cradles, the said cart being applicable as a boat or
pontoon for crossing rivers or forming bridges.
My carrying cradle is as follows:-
Each axle of a pair of carrying wheels is made solid with a vertical sliding block,
to slide in a dove-tail rabbet or groove in a corresponding block on the body of the
vehicle. From the bottom end of each sliding block depends a chain, and the ends
of the two chains are united by means of a spring. This forms a cradle into which
the body of the vehicle is dropped. The play of the spring attachment of the
chains and the slide, give great springiness, and permits the floor of the vehicle to
be very near the ground.
In place of the chain I may use a solid curved axle, and in this case I place a
spring in the top of the dovetail groove or rabbet, which presses the top of the
slide-block.
Though my aforesaid construction is applicable with great advantage to road
vehicles generally, yet I have designed it chiefly to carry a goods cart of novel
construction, which is as follows:-
The body of my goods cart is constructed in two parts (conveniently halves), an
upper and a lower one. These two parts, conveniently of dish form, have broad

page_text: and strong corresponding flanges, pierced so as to fasten together by suitable bolts
and nuts. One of the flanges is fitted with a packing strip of suitable material to
ensure water tight contact when the two halves are bolted together. The grooved
block, to receive the sliding block of the axle, is bolted on to the lower part of the
body, or on to the flange. The lower flange, too, has suitable attachments for a
third wheel if required, and for shafts &o. To enable the body to be easily raised
out of the cradle, the flange of the lower half has suitable fittings to allow of the
attachment of lifting appliances. In the upper half of the body is formed a door,
made to close water tight, to permit of loading or discharge, the discharge being
alternately effected from the ends by suitable doors
My goods-cart will be found especially advantageous in countries where produce
has to be brought long distances by bad communications, or as a conveyance of
military stores. The case with which the body may be separated from the cradle,
will enable it to be detached therefrom upon arrival at a railway station and dropped
on to a cradle with flanged wheels on the railway, or deposited in a truck, whence,
upon arrival, it is again lifted into ordinary wheels, and drawn to the ship's side or
warehouse, to be there opened, lifted again, and its contents discharged. If the
body be loaded under flotation point it may be floated across rivers without injury
to the contents; or, for instance in military service, the body may be emptied and
a number of them serve as pontoons for a temporary bridge, or the two halves may
be detached and serve as boats. For the attachment of the bodies or their halves
to one another in the formation of a pontoon bridge, I provide holes through the
flange, to receive the ends of coupling pieces or links.
The springs are so proportioned as to admit of the contents of the cart being
weighed by their deflection, the deflection being indicated in the usual manner on a
graduated dial or slot by a finger or index

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William John Brewer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
12th October 1883.
:
WILLIAM JOHN BREWER, of 23 Rood Lane, in the City of London, Civil
Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROAD VEHICLES, AND IN METHODS AND APPLIANCES
FOR PASSENGER AND GOODS TRANSPORT"
My Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of the carrying
parts or cradles of road vehicles generally, and to a novel construction of goods cart,
to be hung or carried upon such cradles, the said cart being applicable as a boat or
pontoon for crossing rivers or forming bridges.
In order that my invention may be the better understood, I now proceed to
describe the same in relation to the drawings hereunto annexed, reference being had
to the letters and figures marked thereon. Like letters refer to like parts throughout
the figures.
Figs 1 and 2 show my cradle in three alternative forms.
Figs: 3 and 4 show, in side and end elevation, an omnibus or road car mounted
thereupon.
Fig: 5 shows, in end elevation, a lifeboat mounted thereupon.
Figs: 6 and 7 show, in side and end elevation, an ordinary cart mounted
thereupon.
Figs: 8 and 9 show, in side and end elevation, my improved cart body mounted
thereupon.
Figs: 10 and 11 show, in side and end elevation, my improved cart mounted
thereupon in alternative form.
Fig: 12 shows my cart used as a pontoon bridge.
My carrying cradle is as follows:-Referring to Figure 1,
Each axle of a pair of carrying wheels A is made solid with a vertical sliding
block B, to slide in a dove-tail rabbet or groove in a corresponding block C on the
body of the vehicle. This arrangement is shown more clearly in horizontal section
in Fig: 1.
The block may be chambered to contain lubricant, and the walls of the groove
may be fitted with antifriction rollers.
From the bottom end of each sliding block B depends a chain, and the ends of
the two chains are united by means of a spring D-This forms a cradle into which
the body of the vehicle is dropped and secured in any suitable manner.
Alternatively the chain may be continuous and attached to rods passing through
the sliding blocks. These rods end in a cap E which rests on a spring D.
Again referring to figure 2, in place of the chain, I may use a solid curved axle,
and in this case, I place a spring D in the top of the dovetail groove or rabbet,
which presses the top of the slide block.
Though I have shown spiral springs in my drawings, yet V or other suitable forms
may be employed.
In my foregoing alternative constructions of cradle, the spring attachment of the
chains or in or on the slide block gives great elasticity, whilst the form of the cradle
permits the body of the vehicle to be very near the ground, offering great advantages,
and facilitating the transport of heavy weights.
In some cases it may be convenient to prolong the top of the sliding block
upwards, to allow of a Girder being fitted. Again I may add to each of the main
wheels a smaller subsidiary wheel or wheels to add to the strength and stability.
My aforesaid construction is applicable to road vehicles generally, and I illustrate
some of the more advantageous applications.

page_text: $
Figs: 3 and 4. show an omnibus or road car, in side and end elevation respectively,
mounted on my cradle. The letters of reference in this and the following other
applications clearly indicate the parts of my device.
The omnibus may be provided with subsidiary rollers or wheels F to serve if the
body be removed from the cradle.
Fig: 5 shows an end elevation of a life boat mounted on my cradle for
transport.
Figs: 6 and 7 show, in side and end elevation respectively, a heavy goods carb
mounted on my cradle and with the floor close to the ground.
In addition to the varied applications of my cradle, I have designed it chiefly to
carry a goods cart body of novel construction, which is as follows:-
The body is constructed in two parts (conveniently halves) an upper and a lower
one. These two parts, conveniently of dish form of the shape shown in Figs: 8
and 9, or that shown in Figs 10 and 11, have broad and strong corresponding
flanges, pierced so as to fasten together by suitable bolts and nuts, or they may be
made one slightly smaller than the other, so that they may fit into one another for
storage. One of the flanges is or may be fitted with a packing strip of suitablo
material to ensure water tight contact when the two parts are bolted together. The
grooved block C to receive the sliding block A of the axle is bolted on to the lower
part of the body or on to the flange. The lower flange too has suitable attachments
for a third wheel if required and for shafts &-To enable the body to be easily
raised from the cradle, the flange of the lower part has suitable fittings G, to allow
of the attachment of lifting appliances-In the upper and lower part of the body
is formed a door or doors H, made to close watertight, to permit of loading or
discharge, the discharge being alternatively effected from the ends by suitable doors.
The tight closure of my cart body ensures the safe transport of the contents without
injury from damp or water.
:
My goods cart will be found especially advantageous in countries where produce
has to be brought long distances by bad communications, or as a conveyance of
military stores. The ease with which the body may be separated from the cradle
will enable it to be detached therefrom upon arrival at a railway station, and
dropped on to a cradle with flanged wheels on the railway, or deposited in a truck,
whence, upon arrival, it is again lifted into a cradle with ordinary wheels and drawn
to the ships side or warehouse, to be there opened, lifted again, and its contents
discharged.
If the body be loaded under flotation point, it may be floated across rivers
without injury to the contents. In order to add to the buoyancy, I may fit air
tubes or chambers round the body, conveniently under the flanges. Further, I may
construct the wheels hollow, so that they may add to the buoyancy and obviato
necessity of removal. In military service for instance, the bodies may be emptied,
and a number of them serve as pontoons for a temporary bridge, or the two halves
may be detached and serve as boats. In Figure 12, I illustrate several parts as a
portion of a pontoon bridge, and for the purpose of their attachment, I provide holes
through the flange to receive the ends of coupling links or pieces K. To enable the
halves to be used as boats, the bolt holes are at such distances apart that they can
receive rowlocks, and a ledge or ledges may be formed on which to rest thwarts, or
these may be bolted on to. the flange.
The flexible nature of my chain cradle will permit of carrying with ease a
spare pair or pairs of wheels to allow of each half of the body being mounted
separately as an open cart.
The springs are or may be so proportioned as to admit of the contents of the
cart being weighed by their deflection, such deflection being indicated in a usual
manner on a graduated dial L or slot by a finger or index.
In the case where my device is used with a heavy cart, Figs: 6 and 7, the axle
may be, as shown, a web surrounding the body and attached to it, terminating at
either end in the grooved blocks C in which the blocks B on the inner side of the
wheel bosses are free to move, spring pressed or otherwise. Upon the outer boss of

page_text: the wheel I fix the fulcrum M of a lever N, which can be utilized to lift the cart
by a tension rod P from the ground on to its wheel bearings. The cart is lowered
from its bearings by removal of a pin Q from across the grooved block, and is
fixed in position again by the replacing of the pin in the said guides above the
spring. When not in use the lever may be removed, and the tension rod hitched
in place.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature and object of my
invention and the manner of its performance, be it known that what I consider
novel and useful and desire to protect by my Letters Patent is :-
1** The construction of cradle with rigid or flexible axle, spring pressed, and with
sliding block and rabbeted block, and alternative weight indicator, substantially
as set forth.
2nd The construction of a vehicle body, consisting of detachably attached parts
applicable to various transport services, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof I tho said William John Brewer have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twelfth day of October One thousand eight hundred and eighty
Witness.
JOHN. C. FELL
Patent Agent
23 Kood Lane
London. E.C.
WILLIAM JOHN BREWER. (L.S.)