Improvements in the Construction of Omnibuses.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Dec., 1888
Specification Accepted, 15th Jan., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Omnibuses.
I GEORGE LANDALE CUMBERLAND of 21 St. John's Wood Road Gentleman, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
This Invention more particularly relates to improvements in the construction of
that class of omnibuses which is not intended to carry passengers or luggage upon the
roof and has for its object to render such vehicles more healthy comfortable and
convenient than heretofore. For this purpose I so construct the roofs of such vehicles
that they may be readily opened and closed so that in fine weather the passengers
may enjoy the advantage of the fresh air while when it is wet or inclement the roof
can be closed almost instantaneously thus affording the passengers the requisite
protection from wet and cold.
To carry out my invention. I fit the top of the vehicle with two longitudinal
flaps or shutters which extend the entire length and width of the roof or they may.
be made somewhat narrower so that when turned back a central opening of any
convenient width is formed in the roof for its entire length-Or each shutter may
be made in two parts or halves and hinged together so as to allow of their being
partially or entirely opened or closed by opening or closing one or both halves of
each shutter-When two solid shutters are employed the outer edges of such flaps
or shutters are fitted with hinges or their equivalents by means whereof they are
attached either to the sides of the vehicle or to that portion of the roof which is
fixed to the body thereof and suitable. shield plates are fitted over the scams so as
to prevent leakage and draught-The front edges of such flaps are fitted with
suitable hooks whereby when turned back they can be fastened to the top of the
side rails of the vehicle-The front edge of one of such flaps has a broad flange
formed thereon for its entire length so that when the flaps are closed such flange
overlaps the opposite edge and thus prevents both leakage and draught.
Or instead of fitting the roof with two flaps I make one half of such roof a fixture
while the other half thereof consists of a single movable flap which is hinged or

page_text: otherwise fastened to the inner edge of the fixed half of the roof on which latter such
flap when turned back rests-A suitable flange is formed on the inner edge of
such flap and a shield plate is fitted along the back thereof to prevent leakage and
draught.
Or in lieu of the folding flaps or folding flap hereinbefore described I make a
central longitudinal opening in the roof of the vehicle and fit the same with a sliding
shutter made in one two or more sections or panels and working either transversely or
longitudinally and which can either be pushed aside to admit the air or drawn out to
close the roof as occasion requires. b
Another method of carrying out my invention consists in fitting the top of the
vehicle with a metallic arched roof made in two, three, four or more sections which
are so arranged and fitted that when drawn together they fit into each other téles-
copically and so leave the greater portion of the top of the vehicle open-One method
of carrying out this modification of my invention is as follows:-I fit a suitable
metallic guide rod at the top of each side of the vehicle while each section of the
metallic arched roof is provided at the bottom with two lateral sockets which take on
to such guide rods whereon they slide to and fro when actuated by a cord or chain or
other suitable equivalent which is attached to each metallic section for this purpose-
This modification also allows of the roof of the vehicle being either partially or
entirely opened or closed as desired as by operating the entire series of metallic
sections forming the roof the top of the vehicle is entirely opened or closed while
by operating one or two only of such sections it is either partially opened or
closed.
Or in lieu of making the roof of the vehicle solid I fit the top thereof with a
series of ribs made of wood or metal and cover the same with any suitable flexible
material or fabric the ribs being so arranged and fitted that when they are drawn
together the fabric or covering collapses thus opening the top of the vehicle.
Another method of carrying out this modification of my invention is as follows vizt.
To the top of each side or end of the vehicle I fit a revolving roller of any convenient
dimensions supported by and working in suitable bearings I then mount on and
fasten to one of such rollers a suitable flexible awning blind covering or roofing which
extends over the top of the vehicle-One edge of such awning or covering is
connected to the opposite revolving roller by means of cords or wires while each
revolving roller is furnished with a suitable handle by means whereof it can be
operated.
When it is desired to open the top of the vehicle the roller whereon the material is
mounted is rotated thus winding up the awning or covering thereon while in order to
again-close such top the opposite roller is operated thus drawing out the awning or.
covering and so forming a roof to the vehicle.
DRAWINGS.
Fig. shows a view of the top of an omnibus such as hereinbefore described fitted
with two longitudinal flaps or shutters which together form the roof of the vehicle-
one of such shutters is shewn raised and fastened to the top rail of the vehicle by
hooks while the other is shewn closed-a. a. are the shutters hinges whereby they
are attached to the vehicle-e the hooks by which they are fastened to the top
rail de the handles for lifting flaps the overlapping flange on one shutter-
The dotted line y indicates the shield plate over the hinge seams to prevent draught
and leakage.
Fig. 2 shews the roof fitted with two narrow longitudinal flaps which fold back
upon such roof thus forming a longitudinal opening in the entire length of the roof-
a are the flaps the hinges-c the fixed roof of the vehicle whereon such flaps rest
when turned back d the overlapping flange on one of such flaps-e the handles for
lifting fans In this view ona Ann in she hunt the athon aloned

page_text: a are the two halves of the shutter the hinges by which the shutter is fastened to
the omnibus the hinges uniting the two halves of the shutter c is the shield plate
fitted above the seam in the shutter-d the handles whereby to raise the shutter.
this view the shutter is shewn closed.
In
Fig. 4 shews a plan view of the top of an omnibus having about one half of the
roof (A) made solid while the other portion thereof consists of a movable shutter or
flap a made in one two or more parts and fitted with hinges b whereby it is fastened
to the fixed half of the roof c is an overlapping flange along the outer edge of the
shutter to prevent leakage and draught through the roof when it is closed d is a
handle whereby to open and close the shutter.
Fig. 5 shews a plan view of the top of an omnibus having a central opening therein
fitted with a sliding shutter made in two three or more sections or panels thus
constituting a series of sliding panels which may be arrranged to work in grooves
longitudinally or transversley-Or the roof may be fitted with two shutters one on
each side working under the fixed portions of the roof with a lateral action as shewn
in the drawing wherein a are the shutters-b fixed portion of roof and c handles
whereby to operate the shutters.
Fig. 6 shews a view of the top of an oinnibus fitted with a series of ribs a covered
with any suitable fabric or material which is opened or closed by means of cords c
working in grooves d which are formed in the ribs. These latter are so arranged and
fitted that they may be drawn together and when so drawn together they fit into each
other telescopically.
Fig. 7 shews a view in side elevation of an arched metal roof made in sections
fitting into each other telescopically and mounted and working on lateral guide rods
in the manner herein before described-a are the metal roof sections- the lateral
sockets taking on to guide rods e-The cords or other suitable equivalents by which
the roof sections are operated are not shewn in the Drawing.
Fig. 8 shews a view in plan of the arrangement of revolving rollers carrying a
flexible awning or covering that forms a covering or roof to the top of the vehicle
and working in suitable bearings as hereinhefore described-In this view a are the
rollers, the awning the supports carrying the same-e the bearings carrying the
rollers d handles to rollers-e the cords by which the awning is connected to
the second roller-The awning or covering is shewn partially unwound from the
roller whereon it is mounted thus clearly shewing the way in which it is connected to
and operated by the second roller.
I would here observe that I do not confine myself to the precise details of con-
struction shewn in the accompanying Drawings as the same admit of considerable
variation without departing from the essential characteristic of my invention which is
so to construct the roof of an omnibus that is not intended to carry passangers or
luggage on the roof as to admit of such roof being readily opened and closed as
hereinbefore described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. Fitting the top of an omnibus of the class hereinbefore mentioned with two flaps
or shutters which together constitute the roof thereof all substantially in the manner
and for the purposes hereinbefore described and shewn.
2. Forming a longitudinal opening in the top of an omnibus and fitting the same
with two folding flaps or their equivalents all substantially in the manner hereinbefore
described and shewn.
3. Fitting the top of an omnibus with a shutter made in two halves fitted with
handles and otherwise constructed and arranged all substantially in the manner
hereinbefore described and shewn.
4. Fitting the top of an omnibus with a single shutter which forms one half or
about one half of the roof thereof and which can be opened and closed all substantially
as hereinbefore described and shewn.

page_text: 5. Forming a central opening in the top of an omnibus and fitting the same with
two three or more sliding panels or with two sliding shutters operating laterally
and arranged and fitted all substantially in the manner hereinbeforo described and
shewn.
6. Fitting the top of an omnibus with a series of wood or metal ribs and covering
the same with any suitable fabric or material all substantially in the manner herein-
.before described and shewn.
7. Fitting an omnibus with an arched metallic roof made in sections fitting into
each other telescopically and otherwise constructed fitted and arranged all substantially
as hereinbefore described and shewn.
8. Fitting the top of an omnibus with revolving rollers carrying a flexible. awning
or covering which forms the roof of the vehicle and can be opened or closed all
substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn.
9. Constructing the top of an omnibus so that it can be readily opened and closed
as required.
Dated this 7th day of December 1888.
ELT & Co.,
33, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London,
Agents.