Improvements in Carriages.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 8th July, 1889-Accepted, 10th Aug., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Carriages.
1, ROBERT HUNTER RIDGES, of 83 Darlington Street, Wolverhampton in the
County of Stafford, Coach Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
"
square-
This invention relates more especially to what are technically known as
fronted "opening Broughams or Landaulettes, and to other carriages capable of being
opened and closed in the manner hereinafter described; but is applicable in part also
to carriages generally, including omnibuses railway carriages and tram cars, which
are fitted with lights or windows.
A "square-fronted" Brougham, that is a Brougham in which a part on each side
projects forwards beyond the front door pillars so as to allow of an inside front seat
with roomy corners (in distinction from what is known as a "circular." fronted
Brougham), and which projections may be fitted with side lights, is constructed,
according to this invention, so that the front falling pillars, front corner pillars, and
the top rails and the overhanging portions of the bottom rails on each side between
such pillars, and the front top rail, are framed together as a rigid frame and carry,
also, the part of the roof forward of the front line of the doors. The bottom. front
rail is a fixture upon the body of the carriage. The frame is pivotted on each side
to the body of the carriage at such a point forwards of the standing pillars as will
allow the falling pillars and the hinder part of the frame, aforesaid, below the falling
pillars to be drawn clear away from the top and front, respectively, of the standing
pillars as the frame aforesaid is turned down forwards on the pivots as a centre, and
allow also of the accurate fitting together of the movable and fixed parts when the
frame is turned back again. The part of the roof to the rear of the part carried by
the frame, aforesaid, is turned back in opening in the usual way.
The front is opened by first sliding the front lights one behind the other, and the
one, preferably, into slides or grooves carried by the other (so as to save room) and
then passing them down into a pocket formed in the thickness of the front part of the
carriage body, and finally turning down the frame, aforesaid, forwards until the sides
thereof lie in a horizontal, or approximately horizontal, position. The part of the
roof carried by the frame passes over the driver's seat and is in position, when down,
immediately in front of the boot so as to be behind the driver's legs when ho occupies
his seat; and the parts are supported in such position preferably by the front top rail of
the roof resting upon a support placed in a position to receive it in the boot. Parts of
the sides of the frame pass down outside the front part of the body and boot of the
carriage. The front side lights (or panels, if such are employed in lieu of lights) are
fixtures within the frame and are, consequently, turned down with the frame. The
frame may be locked in position, when closed, by a pair of Bale's latches taking
sideways into plates in the forward parts of the sides of the frame, aforesaid, or
similar fastenings which will admit of the opening of the frame by a moderate
degree of force without the need for unfastening by an independent movement; and
the falling pillars are guided into position on the fixed pillars, as the frame is closed,
and prevented from moving sideways thereon, by means of studs on the bottoms of the
falling pillars entering endway slotted plates fixed on the fixed pillars.
The pivotted joints are specially constructed, and each consists of a plate for fixture
to the frame, of a pin projecting from the inner face of the plate, of a collar formed
upon the plate and around the base of the pin, of a washer for fisture to the outer
side of the carriago body, said washer having an opening therethrough for the passage
of the pin and a circular rebated recess formed in its outer face for the reception of
the collar, and a slot of the width of the opening formed out from its middle to its
upper edge to allow of the pin being lifted up therefrom without the removal of the

page_text: washer, and of a bearing plate for fixture to the inside of the carriage body_said
bearing plate having an inwardly projecting lug through which the pin passes. Each
pivotted joint is put together by first putting the washer in place with bolts passing
therethrough and through the woodwork; the pivot pin, which is previously fixed to
the frame, is then passed down the slot in the washer and down a corresponding slot in
the woodwork, and the bearing plate is then placed over the end of the pin and fixed
by, the bolts which fix the washer. A nut is screwed upon the end of the pin, and
against a small washer therearound to prevent the pin giving outwards.
The fixed and other lights, but more especially those which are carried in grooves
to be capable of being opened and closed, and which are consequently specially liable
to rattle, have frames composed partly of metal (or of other material of sufficient
strength) and partly of indiarubber or analogous material. The metallic part of the
frame is formed of two distinct secondary frames which are screwed together with, the
glass between them, and may consist conveniently of flat strips of brass or other metal
brazed together at their joints, one secondary frame carrying small distance blocks.
against which the other frame is screwed. The secondary frames are distanced apart
a: greater distance than the thickness. of the glass, and rubber (or analogous
material) grooved to receive the glass, is inserted, together with the glass, between
the frames, being first placed against one frame and then the other screwed up
thereagainst. Holes are cut through the rubber through which the distance blocks
pass, and the rubber is held in place by such blocks and by being compressed
firinly between the frames, for which purpose it is made thicker than the distance
between such frames. The rubber is formed with a head which projects beyond the
frame and fits against the part to which the frame is. fixed or within the grooves in
which the frame slides, and thus the frame is prevented from rattling while the glass;
being carried by the indiarubber, is prevented from rattling in the frame. One of the
secondary frames may be of wood or analogous material if preferred.
The above described improvements in carriage lights or windows are applicable
generally to the windows. of carriages, including those of railway carriages, omnibuses,
and tram cars:
Dated this 5th day of October 1888
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton and Walsall, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Carriages.
I, ROBERT HUNTER RIDGES, of 83 Darlington. Street, Wolverhampton in the
County of Stafford, Coach Builder, 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 relates more especially to what are technically known as "square"
fronted opening: Broughams or Landaulettes, and to other square-fronted carriages
capable of being, opened; and closed in the manner hereinafter, described; but, is
applicable, in part also to carriages generally; including omnibuses, railway carriages
and tram cars, which are fitted with lights or windows.
A square-fronted Brougham, that is a Brougham, in which a part on each side
projects forwards beyond the front door, pillars so as to allow of an inside front seat
with roomy corners (in distinction from what is known, as a "circular"-fronted
Brougham), and which projections may be fitted with side lights, is constructed,
according to this,invention, so, that the front falling pillars, front corner pillars, and
the top rails and the overhanging portions, or parts thereof,, of the bottom rails on
each side between such pillars, and the front top rail, are framed together as a rigid
frame and carry, also, the part of the roof, forward of, the front line of the doors.
The bottom frout rail is a fixture with, the body of the carriage. The frame is pivotted
on each side to the body of; the carriage at such a point, forwards of the standing

page_text: pillars as will allow the falling pillars and the hinder part of the frame, aforesaid,
below the falling pillars to be drawn clear away from the top and front, respectively,
of the standing pillars as the frame aforesaid is turned down forwards on the pivots
as a centre, and allow also of the accurate fitting together of the movable and fixed
parts when the frame is turned back again. The part of the roof to the rear of the
part carried by the frame, aforesaid, is turned back, in opening, in the usual way.
The front is opened by first sliding the front lights one behind the other, and the
one, preferably, into slides or grooves carried by the other, and then passing them
down into a pocket formed in the thickness of the front part of the carriage body, in
a manner heretofore sometimes adopted in the case of opening Broughams, and finally
turning down the frame, aforesaid, forwards until the sides thereof lie in a borizontal.
or approximately horizontal, position. The part of the roof carried by the frame
passes over the driver's seat and is in position, when down, immediately in front of
the boot so as to be behind the driver's legs when he occupies his seat, and the parts
are supported in such position preferably by the front top rail of the roof resting
upon a support placed upon the front bottom board to receive it. Parts of the
sides of the frame pass down outside the front part of the body and boot of the
carriage. The front side lights (or panels, if such are employed in lieu of lights)
are fixtures within the frame and are, consequently, turned down with the frame.
The fixed and other lights, but more especially those which are carried to slide in
grooves so as to be capable of being opened and closed, and which are consequently
specially liable to rattle, have frames composed partly of metal (or of other material
of sufficient strength) and partly of indiarubber or analogous material. The metallic
part of the frame is formed of two distinct secondary frames which are screwed
together with the glass between them, and may consist conveniently of flat strips of
brass or other metal brazed together at their joints, one secondary frame carrying
small distance blocks against which the other frame is screwed. The secondary
frames are distanced apart a greater distance than the thickness of the glass, and
rubber (or analogous material), grooved to receive the glass, is inserted, together with
the glass, between the frames, being first placed against one frame and then the other
screwed up thereagainst. Holes are cut through the rubber through which the
distance blocks pass, and the rubber is held in place by such blocks and by being
compressed firmly between the frames, for which purpose it is made slightly thicker
than the distance between such frames. The rubber is formed with a head which
projects beyond the secondary frames and fits within the part to which the frame is
fixed or within the grooves in which the frame slides, and thus the frame is prevented
from rattling while the glass, being carried by the indiarubber, is prevented from
rattling in the frame. One of the secondary frames may be of wood or analogous
material of sufficient strength, if preferred.
The part of the invention which relates to the opening and closing of Broughams
and other carriages is illustrated by the views on sheets 1 and 2 of the drawings
herewith, in which corresponding parts are similarly lettered. Figure 1 is a side
elevation of the forward portion of a square-fronted Brougham constructed so that the
front may be opened and closed in the manner above described, and is shewn with
the front closed. Figure 2 is a corresponding view to figure 1, but shews the front
open. Figure 3 is a plan of figure 2. Figure 4 is a vertical section, to an enlarged
scale, through the centre of the forward portion of the carriage when closed, but the
boot is shewn as if broken away, for convenience of illustration. The remaining
views on these sheets refer to details. The opening portion of the front is formed as
a frame consisting of the front falling pillars a, front corner pillars b, top rail r,
overhanging portions d of the bottom rails, and the front top rail e; and to the top
of this frame is fixed the front portion of the roof. The bottom front rail is a
fixture with the body of the carriage. The frame is pivotted to the body of the
carriage by means of pins i. The forward part of the body of the carriage narrows
towards the front, as is usual, but the fixed portions of the bottom side rails are
formed so that their outer sides are parallel with one another in order that the inner
U

page_text: .
sides of the portions d which forum part of the frame may lie properly thereagainst
and be capable of being turned with the frame. The fixed parts of the rails
consequently overhang the body to some extent, more especially towards the front,
as will be readily understood. The slanting sides of the front part of the body of the
carriage are shewn by broken lines figure 3. Referring specially to figures 1 and 2,
it will be seen that the frame is shaped as if notched out at what are its bottom hinder
corners, when closed, so that it may hed properly upon the tops of the standing
pillars and against the fronts thereof, the position of the pivots i being such, as shewn,
as to allow the frame to be turned forwards clear of the standing pillars and to ensure
that it will fit properly against and upon such pillars when turned back again. For
this purpose the corners y are slanted off as shewn.
Detail views of one of the pivotted connections are shewn by figures 5 and 6, of
which figure 5 is a vertical section, and figure 6 an elevation, looking in the direction
of the arrow figure 5, with the part d of the rail and the pin i removed. A plate j
is fitted against the inside of the fixed part of the bottom rail (into which it may be
sunk, if preferred) and a plate k is sunk into the outer face of the same part of the
rail so as to be flush with the outside thereof. These plates are firmly fixed in position
by means of bolts which have heads countersunk in the plate k. A bush is formed
with the plate j and projects part of the way through the thickness of the part h of
the rail. A plate m, which carries the pin i, is sunk into the inner face of the
movable part d of the rail so as to be flush with such face, and is held thereto by
countersunk-headed screws. The-pin i passes through a bearing in the centre of the
plate k, through the bush in which it also fits so as to be capable of turning, and is
held at its outer end by means of a nut o. A washer p is interposed between the
nut and the plate j, and a flat is formed on one side of the outer end of the pin, and
the washer is of the character of those usually employed with taps or gas brackets, so
that it cannot turn on the pin. The platej may be formed at such angles with the bush 1,
as shewn by figure 3, as will suit the slanting inner shape of the fixed part of the
rail. A collar p is formed around the base of the pin i, and fits within a corresponding
recess in the platek so as to give ample wearing surface. A vertical slot q is formed
up from the hole in the centre of the plate k, and a corresponding hole is formed in
the fixed part of the rail, so as to admit of the pin being drawn up (together with
the frame) out of the plate k and fixed part of the rail, after the platej has been
removed, and of being correspondingly placed in position. This provision is made in
case of its being necessary at any time to remove the frame or pin for repairs. A
slight clearance is left between the paris d and h of the rail to prevent them rubbing
against one another as the frame is opened and closed.
A modification of the pivotted connection, which may be employed also for carrying
a lamp iron, is shewn in vertical section by figure 7. A plate j¹, corresponding to
the platej of the former-described modification, is fixed against the inside of the part
of the rail by means of pins having countersunk heads let into a plate which is
itself let into the outer face of the part of the rail. The plate j' carries a pin which
is formed with a square part and a cylindrical part . The cylindrical part is of a
less diameter than the square part and passes through the movable part of the rail.
A plate m is let into the inner face of the part d of the rail, and is fixed thereto by
countersunk-headed screws, and this plate carries a bush s which passes through, or
nearly through, the part d of the rail, and is a turning fit upon the cylindrical part
of the pin. A slight clearance is left,.as in the former modification, between the
parts & and h of the rail, and the bush s projects inwards from the face of the
plate m' and butts against the square part of the pin, and a circular fillet projects
from the face of the plate and butts against the face of the plate m¹. The lamp
iron t is carried on a square part u on the outer end of the pin and is held thereon and
against the outer end of the bush s by means of a nut o¹. It is preferred to form a
boss on the lamp iron which passes around the outer end of the cylindrical part of
the pin and butts against the end of the bush s, as shewn. A finish is given to the
outer end of the bush by means of a washer v.. As the frame is turned the bush,

page_text: which is fixed thereto, turns upon the cylindrical part of the pin, but the lamp iron
remains rigidly fixed in position upon the outer end of the pin which is itself a rigid
fixture. If it is desired to remove the frame, the plate j', together with the pin r,
is removed, and the bush is raised up through a slot in the plate k'. This joint may
of course be used apart from its combination with a lamp iron, if desired.
For the purpose of fastening and unfastening the frame, when in its closed position,
a. bent bar is employed (see figure 4) of which a part a' passes transversely across the
inside of the roof in a groove formed therefor as shewn, and of which a part a passes
down the inside of each pillar a in a groove formed therefor. In the illustration the
covering strip of the groove shewn is removed to expose the bar. Each part a³ is
pivotted at a so that it may act as a lever, and the lower end of each such part
projects somewhat below the bottom of the corresponding pillar a and has an opening
therethrough to take over a catch pin or stud b¹ fixed within a recess in the top of the
front standing pillar 3. The lower end of one of the parts a² of the bar is shewn,
to an enlarged scale, by figure 8 as engage with its corresponding catch-pin b
The lower end of each part a² of the bar is pressed backwards (that is towards the
rear of the carriage) by means of a spring 63, and the lower end of each part a² and
the nose of each catch pin is bevelled so that as the frame is closed the bar auto-
matically engages with the catch pins. The lower ends of the bar are disengaged
from the catch pins by pulling backwards the part a¹ of the bar, for which purpose
such part is provided with a handle c¹, and a corresponding handle c is fixed to the
roof a short distance behind the handle c. By grasping both these handles by
one hand, and pulling the handle c' towards the handle c³ the bar is drawn
backwards.
The front lights must be removed from the frame previously to its 'being opened,
and for this purpose an arrangement is adopted which has been sometimes heretofore
employed in connection with opening Bronghams. A pocket d' is formed in the
thickness of the front part of the carriage hody, and the lights are slid one in front of
the other and lowered down into the pocket. A section, to an enlarged scale, through
the upper part of the window frames when placed one in front of the other, is shewn
by figure 9. A metal angle strip e' is screwed to the front frame f¹ so as to form a
groove on its rear side for the hinder frame g¹ to slide into. The same arrangement
is employed along the bottom of the frames. When the carriage is desired to be
used closed, the turning frame is turned up into its closed position and then the
window frames aro raised out of the pocket d' and slid right and left into grooves
formed therefor in the front top and bottom rails, respectively. These grooves are
shaped on the slant on one side, as shewn at ', figure 3, so as to allow the frame gl
to be slid into the grooves of the frame f' previously to the latter frame being moved.
into the middle to be lowered, together with the frame g', into the pocket, and so
that the frame g' may be correspondingly slid out of the grooves of the frame f¹ into
the grooves in the top and bottom rails. The window frames may be rebated
(rabbeted) together along their vertical abutment with one another when in use.
The front edge of the turning frame rests, when down in the position shewn by
figures 2 and 3, upon a pad of indiarubber upon a block of wood to resting on the.
front bottom board.
The middle portion of the roof is opened back from the front portion in the usual
manner, and the hinder part may be made to open back in the usual manner,
or such latter part may be permanently closed so that only the front of the carriage
will open.
The frame is described and shewn as turned down, when open, in front of the.
driver's seat, but it will be obvious, without need for special illustration, that by
putting the driver's seat sufficiently forward the frame may be turned down behind it
instead of in front. This is a modification of the invention which is applicable more
especially in the case of carriages for use with a pair of horses.
According to either modification of this invention the driver's seat is a permanent
fixture, and it is not necessary even to remove the cushions therefrom for opening
down the frame.

page_text: The part of this invention which relates to the windows of Broughams and of
carriages generally, including omnibuses, railway carriages and tram cars, is illustrated
by the views on sheet 3 of the drawings herewith, of which figure 10 is an inside.
elevation of a glass-frame constructed according to this part of the invention, and
figure 11 a transverse section to an enlarged scale (or full size as it may be employed
in most cases), taken through a member of the frame, such as on line of figure 10.
The metallic portion of the frame consists of two secondary frames ¿¹², distanced
apart by means of blocks q' brazed to the frame i", and fixed together by means of
countersunk-headed screws passing through the frame and screwed into the
blocks. The remainder of the glass-frame consists of indiarubber (preferably
vulcanized) or analogous material of the section shewn by. figure 11, that is with a
narrower part l' which is held between the metal frames and a wider part or head
which projects around the outside of such frames. The part is made, preferably,
slightly wider than the distance between the metal frames, and is correspondingly
compressed as the frames are screwed together; and a groove n is formed in the
inner edge of this part to receive the edges of the glass s¹. The sides of this groove
are pressed somewhat against the glass as the inetal frames are screwed up. The
part projects, preferably, slightly beyond the outside face of each metal frame, so as
to ensure an elastic bearing against the sides of the groove in which the glass-frame
is carried. The head 2 may be dispensed with if it is desired to employ the india-
rubber simply to prevent the glass itself rattling within the frame. The rubber may
be joined at its angles by cement or coaguline or in any manner in which rubber is
joined.
Either or both of the frames
may be of wood or other suitable rigid material,
but it is preferred to make them both of metal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The means by which the front portion of a square-fronted Brougham or
Landaulette, or other square-fronted carriage of similar construction, may be opened
and closed, substantially as described.
2. In a square-fronted Brougham or Landaulette, or other square-fronted carriage
of-similar construction, the frame substantially as described, pivotted to the body of
the carriage, and carrying the front portion of the roof as a fixture thereto,
substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.
3. In a square-fronted Brougham or Landaulette or other square-fronted carriage of
similar construction, a frame of the character described forming the opening front
pivoted so as to be capable of being turned down over the driver's seat in the
manner described, and also the modification thereof in which the seat, is sufficiently
forwards to permit of the frame being turned down behind it, substantially as
described.
:
4. In a square-fronted Brougham or Landaulette or other square fronted carriage of
similar construction, a pivotted frame forming the opening front of which the lower
members form outer movable portions of the bottom side rails, substantially as
described.
5. In a square fronted Brougham or Landaulette or other square fronted carriage
of similar construction, a pivoted frame forming the opening front and having a
portion which passes down outside the body along each side when the frame is closed,
substantially as described.
6. In a square-fronted Brongham or Landaulette or other square-fronted carriage of
similar construction a frame forming the opening front pivoted to the body at points
forward of the front standing pillars and below the level of the tops of such pillars,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. The frame composed of the members a, b, c, d and e, carrying as a fixture
thereto the portion of the roof, and-pivoted on each side to the body of the carriage,
substantially as described and shown for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 8. The means by which the front turning or opening frame is fitted to the front
standing pillars, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.
9. The pivoted joint, substantially as described with reference to figures 5 and 6 of
the drawings herewith, for the purpose set forth.
10. The pivoted joint substantially as described, with reference to figure 7 of the
drawings herewith, for the purpose set forth; and also the combination of the lamp
iron therewith, substantially as described.
11. The pivoted bar in combination with the catch pins or studs, substantially as
described, for the purpose set forth.
12. In a carriage window the combination of metal or other rigid framing with a
core of indiarubber (or analogous material of a yielding character) substantially as
described, for the purpose set forth.
13. In a carriage window the combination of a pair of metal frames (or of frames
of other rigid material, or of a frame of metal and a frame of other rigid material)
with a core of indiarubber (or analogous material of a yielding character), fixed
between such frames, and having a groove to receive the edges of the glass, and
(preferably) a head projecting beyond the outer edges of the metal frames, substantially
as described, for the purpose set forth.
14. A carriage window frame substantially as described with reference to the
drawings on sheet 3 herewith, for the purpose set forth.
Dated this Fourth day of July 1889.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.