IMPROVE- MENTS IN WHEEL CARRIAGES AND OTHER VEHICLES
Year: 1867

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Offord at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th June 1867.
I, JOSEPH OFFORD, of Wells Street, Oxford Street, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN WHEEL CARRIAGES AND OTHER VEHICLES," to be as follows:-
The Invention has for its object improvements in wheel carriages and other
vehicles, and relates, firstly, to improvements in wheels whereby they are
rendered somewhat elastic, and yet sufficiently rigid to give the required
strength. For this purpose, according to one arrangement, I form the axle
box with one fixed and one loose flange, and between such flanges I fix à
metallic ring or tube, around which I place a ring or tube of vulcanized
india-rubber or other suitable elastic material; 1 also place a washer of
vulcanised india-rubber or other suitable elastic material against each Hange,
and between such elastic washers and around the elastic ring or tube are
placed the ends of the spokes which are tapered so as to meet together and
form a solid block as is now well understood.
Another arrangement consists in placing the ends of the spokes (where
they meet together at the nave) into metallic shoes covered with india-rubber
or other suitable elastic material, such shoes being tapered as previously
described and enclosed between the flanges on the axle box, which are
tightened up by screws aud bolts or other suitable means.

page_text: Another part of my Invention consists in an improved mode of constructing
the frames of windows for carriages and other vehicles. For this purpose I
form the frame of trough metal, and to the edge of the frame I fix vulcanised
india-rubber or other suitable elastic material which may be done in the
vulcanising process or in other suitable manner. To the bottom of the frame
I prefer to fix a few small blocks of suitable elastic material, by these means
I produce a light and elegant window frame whilst all noise and rattling are
avoided.
Another part of my Invention. consists in improved means of insulating
the springs from the body of the carriage. For this purpose I form the
spring blocks of vulcanised india-rubber, to the top and bottom of which are
fixed in the vulcanising process, or by other suitable means, metal plates
provided with eyes or other suitable means for connecting them with the
carriage body and the springs.
Another part of my Invention consists in a mode of insulating lamps for
carriages and other vehicles so as to prevent all noise and rattling of such
lamps. For this purpose I line the sockets into which the stems, lamp irons,.
or branches of the lamps are placed, with vulcanised india-rubber, cork, or
other suitable elastic material, and I elongate such. elastic material beyond
the metallic portion of the socket; or I.fix an. elastic washer on the top and
bottom thereof so that the stem or branch of the lamp when placed in the
socket is completely insulated therefrom by the elastic material employed,
and I fix the stem, lamp iron, or branch of the lamp in the socket by nuts and
screws or other suitable means.
Another part of my Invention relates to an improved mode of fastening
carriage doors. For this purpose I propose according to one arrangement
to employ a spring lock on the inside of the door instead of being let into the
frame of the door as usual.
L.-.
..
Another arrangement consists in dispensing altogether with a lock, and
fastening the door by the inside handle which forms a tongue turning on to
the fore pillar.
G
:.