AN IMPROVED EMIGRANT'S HABITATION CART
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Albion Richard Snelling
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 2nd April 1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
I, ALBION RICHARD SNELLING, of Tottenham, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVED EMIGRANT'S HABITATION CART" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in constructing a cart in such manner that it
is capable of being easily and speedily converted into a habitation when
the horse is taken out of the shafts, by forming the body of the cart of
two parts, one sliding within the other, similar to a telescope; and
further, in providing moveable and adjustable partitions in such said body,
so as to be able to have separate sleeping apartments therein. The body
is also fitted with an adjustable table, seats, shelves, closet, and windows,
with good ventilation; but in order that this Invention may be better
understood, reference must be had to the illustrative drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the numeral figures and letters of reference marked
thereon respectively as follows:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
At sheet 1, Fig. 1, exhibits a side elevation of this Invention as it

page_text: one place to another. Fig. 2, is a side elevation of the cart as it would
appear when drawn out and made stationary for the purpose of a habi-
tation. At Sheet 2, Fig. 3, is a plan view of the cart as it would appear
if divided through the line A, B, at Fig. 2, of Sheet 1, shewing the
internal arrangement of the body. Fig. 4, is an elevation of the fore
part of the cart; Fig. 5, an elevation of the hind part or tail end.
Fig. 6, is a transverse and vertical section taken through the line C, D,
at Fig. 2, of Sheet 1, looking froin A; and Fig. 7, is a transverse
and vertical section taken through the line E, F, at Fig. 2, of Sheet 1,
looking. from B. At each of the Figures of these sheets of drawings
similar letters of reference are employed to denote corresponding parts
at each of the Figures respectively. A, A, marks the fixed body
mounted upon wheels, B, B. The tail end of the cart has an entrance
formed therein; the upper part whereof is furnished with a hinged flap
or door C, shewn at Fig. 2, of Sheet 2; and the lower portion has steps,
D, hinged thereto, which, when turned up as shewn, entirely close said
entrance, and when down, as at Fig. 2, of Sheet 1, afford easy ingress
to the vehicle. E, marks the sliding portion of the body of the cart,
which moves upon anti-friction rollers, attached to the fixed body A;
so that by means of the handle G, the sliding part E, may be easily
drawn out or pushed in; and when out, it rests upon the shafts H
which are supported by props I, attached thereto; and to the lower end
of each of these props other props, K, K, are attached, which are
placed across cach other, and hook into staples affixed to the shafts,
but not shewn by the drawing, by which the fore end of the cart is kept
perfectly steady, and the tail end, being also provided with a prop, L,
and, if necessary, there may be another at M, the whole structure may
thus be rendered immoveable.
I will now proceed to describe the construction and arrangement of
the interior of the sliding portion of the body. At Fig. 3, of Sheet 2, a
marks the flooring; b, b, hinged projecting pieces which overhang the
wheels; d, a box, in which may be put bed bed-clothes and wearing
apparel; e, a partition extending to the side and roof of the cart as
shewn; f, marks another partition at the extreme end of the sliding
part; g, a door, which, in the position exhibited, serves to form a

page_text: cupboard between the partitions e, and f, in which is placed a portable
closet, h; and there is a small door i, formed in the partition f, as shewn
at Fig. 7, of Sheet 2, through which the closet may be moved for the
use of those persons in the fixed body A, when the door 9, is closed, so
as to entirely block up the end of the sliding part of the body, and
thereby to make such part distinct and separate from the other part of
the cart. k, marks a hinged folding table, which, when out of use,
may be turned up into the position exhibited at Fig. 6, of Sheet 2,
and then serves to complete one partition or side of another cupboard,
marked 1, which is furnished with shelves 1, 2, 3, shewn by dotted
lines at Fig. 7; 5, 5, are angle cupboards. It will be seen, upon
referring to Fig. 6, that the partition e, is hinged, and there is a hinged
piece m, fixed to the cupboard 7, so that by removing the upright piece
at, and placing it within the piece m, at 1, and turning the hinged
part 3, of the partition, a bedstead may be spread out the whole length
of the sliding body for grown persons; and the shorter part by the
cupboard 7, will serve for children. There is a hinged door m, to the
front and sliding end of the cart windows o, shewn at Fig. 2, of Sheet 1,
and perforated metal at p, all round, for ventilation; the floor of the
fixed body A, is also furnished with ventilators q, q, which have doors
4, 4, and there are hinged shutters 6, 6, which correspond with the
windows 0, 0. When the cart is shut up there is also an adjustable
partition 7, across the fixed body, which, when not required, may be
slided close up to the tail end of the cart; and when in use, the opening
in said partition may be closed by the sliding doors r', 1', as shewn; and
by resting the head and foot of a bedstead upon the projecting parts b, b,
two more distinct and separate bed rooms may thus be obtained. In
the daytime the bedsteads may be packed upon the projecting parts b, b.
And in this manner, and by these means, the interior of the cart is made
to answer, in a great measure, the purposes of a domestic dwelling.