IMPROVEMENTS IN HAND TRUCKS
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Russel Wilmot, of Brooklyn, New York,
United States, now of Exeter, Devonshire, Manufacturer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN HAND TRUCKS."-A communication from
abroad by Alexander Douglas, of Bergen County, New Jersey, United
States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Samuel Russel Wilmot
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 14th August 1863, pursuant to the 9th Section of
the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, 1, SAMUEL
RUSSEL WILMOT, of Brooklyn, New York, United States, now of Exeter,
Devonshire, Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
HAND TRUCKS," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for tho
same, and have made solemn declaration that it has been communicated to
me from abroad by Alexander Douglas, of Bergen County, New Jersey,
United States of America.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Samuel Russel Wilmot, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification under my hand and seal
fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in what

page_text: reference being had to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings and letters
marked thereon, making a part of this Specification :-
The nature of the said Invention consists in the application of a break to a
hand truck, for the purpose of locking the wheels, the parts being so arranged
that the person moving the truck may conveniently operate the break with the
foot while loading with the hand.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is an under side plan view of a truck with a part of one wheel
removed; Figure 2 is a detached view on a reduced scale; Figure 3 is a
section through the lines x, x, Figure 1. Like letters refer to corresponding
parts in all the Figures.
The handles A, the cross bars B, the wheels C, the axle D, the legs E, and
the nose-piece F, constituting the parts of an ordinary hand truck, may be
constructed of any suitable material, and in any convenient form. The break
or metal bar G is secured to the under side of the handles A by the loops L
in such a manner as to permit the break to move freely, parallel with the said
handles. The break G being fixed to the under side of the handles A at an
enlarged part is sufficiently removed from the nearest cross bar B to permit
the operator to conveniently rest the foot on the break G, and to easily exert
the pressure required to force the ends of the bar G down between the teeth
of the spur wheels II. When the bar or break G is forced down the wheels
of the truck are securely locked, the spur wheels being cast on or rigidly fixed
to the wheels of the truck. The shape of the bar or break G and of the teeth
of the spur wheels may be modified without essentially changing the character
of said Invention. In order that the said break may readily lock the wheels the
sides of each tooth should converge to a thin edge, and the ends of the break
be formed in a shape to correspond with the spaces between the teeth. The
break G when relieved of the pressure of the foot is forced back by the
spring I from the teeth of the spur wheels, thereby unlocking the wheels of
the truck. The spring I retains the break G in the position shown in the
Drawings, so that it causes no inconvenience when the truck is being moved
around or when the operator does not desire to use the foot for locking the
wheels while loading. The pressure of the foot upon the break G not only.
locks the wheels but holds the truck securely, and at the same time braces
the body of the operator while loading. Instead of the spring I one or more
spiral springs or other suitable means may be employed to force back the
break or bar G without essentially changing the character of the Invention.

page_text: Having fully described the said improvements, and shown how they may be
conveniently carried into effect, I wish it understood that I do not confine
myself to the exact details herein contained; but I claim the Invention
substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Russel Wilmot, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
SAMUEL RUSSEL WILMOT. (L.S.)
Witness,
GEORGE HASELTINE,
International Patent Office;
12, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane,
London.