PERAMBULATORS."
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Saint Aubin of Bloxwich in the County
of Stafford, Pattern Maker, for an Invention of
PERAMBULATORS."
54
IMPROVEMENTS IN
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Saint
Aubin at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th March
1882.
WILLIAM HENRY SAINT AUBIN of Bloxwich, in the County of Stafford Pattern
Maker IMPROVEMENTS IN PERAMBULATORS
The improvements consist in an apparatus or appliance to be attached to
Perambulators for the purpose of preventing their running or moving upon inclined
pavements, or roads, when the hold or grasp of the attendant is released from the
handles of same, which so frequently occurs and thus endangering the lives of
children or occupants of such perambulators.
My invention consists in the construction of an apparatus or appliance to be
placed over or upon the wheel axle, and fixed thereto by means of screws, nuts,
pins, cotters or other suitable means, or the same may be fixed to the springs of
the said Perambulators as follows.
.
I employ a longitudinal flat plate having a piece across the middle of it at right
angles and extending beyond each side in the form of a cross upon each end of
this cross piece I employ two guides, for the reception of a driving plate, which
moves or works between them. This driving plate has in the middle of it two
slots, formed at acute angles in the shape of the letter V and meeting together at
the point. In one end of this driving plate I form a longitudinal slot, in which
I place a spiral spring, one end of which presses against a stud or pin in the cross
piece of the plate and the other end against the top of the longitudinal slot. In
the other end of the driving plate I also form a slot of a suitable shape for the
reception of a cranked bolt or lever which I hinge or joint on the under side of
the plate In the upper end of this cranked bolt or lever I hinge a swivel plate,
having a hole in it for the purpose of attaching a cord strap or chain thereto, and

page_text: by pulling up this cranked bolt or lever through the slot in the driving plate by
means of the cord strap or chain attached thereto and also to the handle of the
Perambulator the driving plate is drawn down. So soon as the cranked bolt or
lever is released the pressure of the spiral spring in the longitudinal slot in the
driving plate shoots back, the said driving plate and the cranked bolt or lever is
forced down. The driving plate is kept down upon the plate by means of two
plates or covers, which are screwed or rivetted to the guides upon the cross plate
and between which it moves or works.
At each end of the longitudinal part of plate I also employ two guides, between
which I employ two locking bolts, one end of each being flat and having studs
thereon, the flat parts lying under the driving plate and the studs lying in the
angular slots therein. The other ends of these bolts nearest the wheels I crank
sufficiently to pass over the hubs and between the spokes of the wheels, or into
cogs or holes on the inner side of the hubs of the same or the cogs may be placed
on the outside edge of the hubs of the wheels, and these bolts are also kept down
upon the plate by means of two plates or covers secured to the guides in manner
aforesaid.
The object of my invention has been that of constructing an apparatus or
appliance which may be attached to Perambulators now in use, as well as those
which will hereafter be manufactured; hence it is that whilst the wheels in the
former are prevented from turning when the hold or grasp of the attendant is
released from the handle by means of the bolts passing between the spokes of the
wheels, in the latter the bolts will be shot between the teeth of the cogs on the
inner side of the hubs of the wheels or into holes formed therein or between
the teeth of cogs upon the outer surface of the hub of the wheel.
The handles of those now in use and to which I attach one end of the cord strap
or chain, and the other end to the swivel plate in the cranked bolt or lever may
be made to turn or revolve and by turning them either way winds the cord
strap or chain upon them, and thereby pulls the cranked bolt or lever, and draws
down the driving plate in manner aforesaid. I however preferably employ a
metal frame having on either side a centre-stud or boss, which I place in the usual
sockets in which the handles are fixed. In the front side of this metal frame
nearest the attendant I also employ two sockets in which I place the handle and
in the back or furthest side from the attendant I also employ two other sockets in
which I place a second handle to which I attach by means of a spring hook or
ring the cord strap or chain and the metal-frame working upon its centre studs
or bosses in the sockets where the usual handles are fixed, forms a lever and pulls
the cord strap or chain attached to the swivel plate in the cranked bolt or lever,-
which lifts the same and thereby draws down the driving plate as before described.
By reason of the studs or pins on the ends of the two locking bolts lying in the
angular slots in the driving plate, these bolts are thereby simultaneously
withdrawn from between the spokes of the wheels or from between the teeth of
the cogs on the inner side of the hubs of the wheels or from between the teeth
of the cogs on the outer edge of the hubs of the wheels as the case may be.
What I specially claim is the locking of the wheels of Perambulators in manner
aforesaid so as to prevent their turning or moving upon inclined pavements or
roads when unattended. I do not however strictly confine myself to the use of
the two angular slots, for the purpose of shooting and withdrawing the locking
bolts as the action may be variously modified.
For instance instead of these angular slots being in the driving plate, which
moves at right angles, with the locking bolts, they may be employed in a plate
turning upon a centre pin and this plate may have a third slot in it, in which a
stud on the driving plate may work and by this driving plate moving up and
down at the same time turns the plate part round and draws in and shoots out the
bolts in manner aforesaid.
I may also employ two straight pieces of metal, having a hole at each end, one
end of each being placed upon each stud on the end of each locking bolt and the

page_text: other two ends placed upon the stud on the driving plate, and by the said driving
plate moving in manner aforesaid the same action is given to the two locking bolts
as in each of the other two cases.
These locking bolts instead of being exposed may run or work in metal tubes
for the better class of Perambulators and may be polished and plated.
The whole of the parts may be cast in any kind of metal or made out of plates
as may be found requisite.
I also specially clain constructing the apparatus or appliance in such a way that
the inner ends of the locking bolt shall lie on and move over each other and being
pressed or shot outwards by means of two spiral springs which are placed upon
small rods or wires fitted into the sides of the inner ends of the two locking bolts.
One end of these spiral springs press or bear against the said sides of the inner ends
of the locking bolt, whilst the other ends abut against two upright plates or bearers
fixed upon the cross piece on the longitudinal plate and through which upright
plates or bearers the small rods or wires pass as the locking bolts are shot forward
or withdrawn. I may also dispense with the longitudinal flat plate which I place
over or upon the wheel axle and simply employ two upright bearers or carriages
which I fix upon each end of the wheel axle nearest the wheels, and in which
I employ two locking bolts having right and left hand quick screw threads
thereon and being worked by levers upon each of which there is a short rod at
right angles and upon which I place a tube from one to the other, such tube
being drawn and held down by a spiral spring attached to the wheel axle.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Henry Saint Aubin in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 1st September 1882.
WILLIAM HENRY SAINT AUBIN, of Bloxwich, in the County of Stafford, Pattern
Maker, IMPROVEMENTS IN PERAMBULATORS.
The improvements consist in an apparatus or appliance to be attached to
perambulators for the purpose of preventing their running or moving upon inclined
pavements or roads, when the hold or grasp of the attendant is released from the
handle of same, which so frequently occurs, and thus endangering the lives of
children or occupants of such perambulators.
My invention consists in the construction of an apparatus or appliance to be
placed over or upon the wheel axle, and fixed thereto by means of screws, nuts,
pins, cotters, or other suitable means, or the same may be fixed to the springs of
the said perambulators as follows:
I employ a longitudinal flat plate A, figs. 1. 2. 3, having a piece B, figs 1. 2. 3.
across the middle at right angles, and extending beyond each side in the form of a
cross. Upon each end of this cross piece I employ two guides D, figs. 1. 2. 3. for
the reception of a driving plate C, figs 1. 2. 3. which moves or works between
them. This driving plate has in the middle of it, two slots E E figs 1. 2. 3
formed at acute angles in the shape of the letter V, and meeting together at
the point.
In one end of this driving plate A, figs. 1. 2. 3, I form a longitudinal slot, in
which I place a spiral spring F, figs. 1. 2. 3, one end of which presses against a
stud G figs. 1. 2. 3 or pin in the cross piece of the plate, and the other end
against the top of the longitudinal slot. In the other end of the driving plate
I also form a slot of a suitable shape for the reception of a cranked bolt or lever, H
which I hinge or joint on the under side of the plate. In the upper end of this
cranked bolt or lever, I hinge a swivel plate I, figs. 1. 2. 3 having a hole in it for
the purpose of attaching a cord, strap, or chain thereto, and by pulling up this
cranked bolt or lever through the slot in the driving plate by means of the cord,
strap, or chain attached thereto, and also to the handle figs 9 and 10 of the
perambulator, the driving plate is drawn down.
So soon as the cranked bolt or lever is relieved, the pressure of the spiral
spring in the longitudinal slot in the driving plate, shoots back the said driving
plate, and the cranked bolt or lever is forced down. The driving plate is kept
down upon the plate by means of two plates or covers K figs 1. 2. 3 which
are screwed or rivetted to the guides upon the cross plate, and between which
it moves or works.
At each end of the longitudinal part of the plate I also employ two guides L L.
figs. 1. 2. 3 between which employ two locking bolts M M. figs. 1. 2. 3, one end
of each being flat, and having studs N N figs 1. 2. 3 thereon, the flat parts lying
under the driving plate, and the studs lying in the angular slots therein. The
other ends of these bolts nearest the wheels I crank sufficiently to pass over the
hubs and between the spokes of the wheels, or into cogs or holes on the inner side
of the hubs of the same, or the cogs may be placed on, or cast or formed in, the
outside edge of the hubs of the wheel, and these bolts are also kept down upon the
plate by means of two plates or covers 00 figs. 1. 2. 3 secured to the guides in
manner aforesaid.
The object of my invention has been that of constructing an apparatus or
appliance which may be attached to perambulators now in use, as well as to those

page_text: which will hereafter be manufactured, hence it is that whilst the wheels in the
former are prevented from turning when the hold or grasp of the attendant is
released from the handle, by means of the bolts passing between the spokes of the
wheels, in the latter, the bolts will be shot between the teeth of the cogs on the
inner side of the hubs of the wheels, or into holes formed or cast therein, or
between the teeth of the cogs upon the outer surface of the hubs of the wheels.
The handles of those now in use, and to which I attach one end of the cord,
strap or chain, and the other end to the swivel plate in the cranked bolt or lever,
may be made to turn or revolve, and by turning them either way, winds the cord
strap, or chain upon them, and thereby pulls the cranked bolt or lever, and draws
down the driving plate in manner aforesaid.
I however preferably employ a metal frame A, figs 9 and 10 having on either
side, a centre stud or boss which I place in the usual sockets B figs 9 and 10 in
which the handles are fixed. In the front side of this metal frane nearest the
attendant, I also employ two sockets, in which I place the handle C figs 9 and 10
and in the back or farthest side from the attendant, I also employ two other
sockets, in which I place a second handle D, figs 9 and 10 to which I attach by
means of a spiral hook or ring, the cord, strap, or chain, and the metal frame
working upon its centre studs or bosses in the sockets where the usual handles are
fixed, forms a lever, and pulls the cord, strap, or chain attached to the swivel
plate I figs 1 to 6 in the cranked bolt or lever, which lifts the same, and thereby
draws down the driving plate as before described. By reason of the studs or pins
N on the ends of the two locking bolts M M figs 1 to 8 lying in the angular slots
in the driving plate, these bolts are thereby simultaneously withdrawn from.
between the spokes of the wheels from between the teeth of the cogs on the inner
side of the bubs of the wheels, from holes formed or cast therein or from between
the the of the cogs on the outer edge of the hubs of the wheels, as the case
may be.
What I specially claim is the locking of the wheels of perambulators in
Inanner aforesaid, so as to prevent their turning or moving upon inclined pave-
ments or roads when unattended. I do not however, strictly confine myself to the
use of the two angular slots for the purpose of shooting and withdrawing the
rocking bolts, as the action may be variously modified. For instance instead of
these angular slots being in the driving plate which moves at right angles with
the locking bolts, they may be employed in a plate turning upon a centre pin, and
this plate may have a third slot in it in which a stud in the driving plate may
work, and by this driving plate moving up and down, at the same time turns the
plate round, and draws in and shoots out the bolts in manner aforesaid.
I may also employ two straight pieces of metal having a hole at each end, the
end of each being placed upon each stud on the end of each locking bolt, and the
other two ends placed upon the studs in the driving plate, and by the said driving
plate moving in manner aforesaid, the same action is given to the two locking
bolts as in each of the other two cases.
These locking bolts, instead of being exposed, may run or work in metal tubes
for the better class of perambulators, and may be polished and plated.
The whole of the parts may be cast in any kind of metal, or made out of plates
as may be found requisite.
I also especially claim constructing the apparatus or appliance in such a way
that the inner ends of the locking bolts M M figs 4. 5. 6 shall lie on, and move
over each other, and being pressed or shot outwards by means of two spiral springs
FF figs 4, 5, 6 which are placed upon small rods or wires P figs 4. 5, 6 fitted into
the sides of the inner ends of the two locking bolts. One end of these spiral
springs presses or bears against the said sides of the inner ends of the two locking
bolts whilst the other ends abut against two upright plates or bearers G, figs 4. 5, 6
fixed upon the cross piece on the longitudinal plate, and through which upright
plates or bearers the small rods or wires pass as the locking bolts are shot forward
or withdrawn.

page_text: I may either employ or dispense with the longitudinal flat plate I place over or
upon the axle. In the latter case, I simply employ two upright bearers A A
figs 7 and 8, which I fix upon each end of the wheel axle nearest the wheels, and
in which I employ two locking bolts M M figs 7 and 8 having right and left hand
quick screw threads thereon, and being worked by levers H H upon each end of
which there is a short rod K figs 7 and 8 at right angles, and upon which I place
a tube B, figs 7 and 8 from one to the other, such tube being drawn and held down
by a spiral spring F figs 7 and 8 attached to the wheel axle.
In adhering to the use of the longitudinal flat plate, I extend the tubes from
each of the locking bolts having right and left handed quick screw threads thereon
towards the middle of the said longitudinal flat plate, where I employ two upright
pieces of metal having holes therein, through and in which the tubes pass and
work.
At the end of these said tubes nearest the centre of the plate, I fix the levers or
cranks having each a short rod at right angles. Upon one of these short rods I
fix another short tube within which I employ a spiral spring, and the short rod
upon the lever or crank on the opposite tube, works within the aforesaid short
tube in which I employ the spiral spring, and by using either handle, to which is
attached a cord, strap, or chain as before described, the levers or cranks are lifted,
which cause the locking bolts having right and left handed screw threads thereon,
to be withdrawn from the spokes or hubs of the wheel as before described. So
soon however, as the handle is loosed, the spiral spring in the short tube, pressing
against the end of the short rod therein, and which is attached to the lever or
crank on the opposite side, again shoots out both the locking bolts into their
former position between the spokes, or into the teeth of the cogs or holes upon the
hubs of the wheels as the case may be.
may however preferably extend these aforesaid tubes in a straight line with
a rod inserted in the one end, and working the other as before described, thus
dispensing with levers or cranks. Upon each of these tubes, and on the inner side
of the upright pieces of metal in which they work, I place a ring having a small
loop hole extending a little distance from the tubes. In this case I also employ a
cord, strap, or chain, one end of which I attach to the handle as before mentioned,
and at the other end I employ two pieces in the shape of the letter V, having on
each a spring hook or ring which I pass through the small loop holes upon the
rings which are affixed to the tubes, and by using either handle as aforesaid, the
cord, strap, or chain is pulled up, which not only causes the tubes to turn, but also
causes the V shaped end to close, and thereby helps to withdraw the locking bolts
from the spokes or hubs of wheels.
Having thus described the nature of the said Improvements, and the manner of
carrying them into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself
to the precise details above enumerated, as these may obviously be modified
without departing from the principle of these improvements, but what I claim as
the chief feature of my invention is the locking of the wheels of perambulators
automatically, the same action upon any scale being applicable to other carriages
generally by the means substantially above described and represented in the
accompany drawings
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Saint Aubin, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of August in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.