IMPROVEMENTS IN HANSOM CABS
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Spencer, of 5, Euston Road, London, in
the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
HANSOM CABS."
Sealed the 2nd May 1876, and dated the 11th November 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Spencer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th November 1875.
I, JOHN SPENCER, of 5, Euston Road, London, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HANSOM CABS," to be as follows:―
My improvements are applicable to cabs commonly called Hansom
cabs, particularly those having a front or what may be termed a drop
window, which is raised and lowered by the driver by means of a string,
the said window turning up towards the passenger; if great care is not
taken it frequently comes in contact with the passenger's head.
My improvement consists of a framed window with projecting pins at
each corner, the pins at the bottom of the frame working or sliding in

page_text: slots or grooves perpendicularly on each side of the cab inside the frame,
the top pins working or sliding in slots or grooves horizontally on each
side of the frame at the top of the cab; by this means the window is
raised entirely to the top of the cab quite out of the way; when raised to
the top the bottom pins drops into a slot which holds the window open.
A short pin or spring is placed in the centre behind the cab opposite to
the driver; by pressure on the bolt or spring the window is put out of
the slot and falls down in front of the cab and is then closed. By this
means the window can be raised or lowered by the passenger (which is
not the case with the windows at present in use in hansom cabs). The
window can also be raised or lowered by the driver.
口
.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Spencer in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 10th May 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
SPENCER, of 5, Euston Road, London, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Spencer, Her special licence
that I, the said John Spencer, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Spencer, my executors,
administrators, and 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 HANSOM CABS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said John Spencer, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, 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 Great Seal Patent Office within six

page_text: are secured and held in the seatings b¹ and keep the window in the
desired position.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Spencer, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.