IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH STREET CARS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Greenhill, of No. 30, Alfred Place, Bedford
Square, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for an Invention of
“IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH STREET CARS"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Greenhill at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th October 1880.
THOMAS GREENHILL, of No. 30, Alfred Place, Bedford Square, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH STREET
CABS."
This Invention relates to vehicles to be used as four wheeled cabs are used at
present, but instead of having four wheels I only have two, and I arrange the body
that four and in some cases five persons may occupy the interior and sit face to
face, the door being at the back instead of at the side or sides. The frame of the
vehicle is of iron, and has axle arms projecting from the sides for the wheels to be
mounted upon. By this method I dispense with the usual axle running under the
body. The body is supported upon springs, and the driver's seat is at front over a
cross spring which connects two side springs. Under the driver's foot board a
space is left upon the front part of the frame for the reception of luggage if desired,
or the roof may be used as by the present four wheeled cabs for luggage.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Greenhill in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th April
1881.
THOMAS GREENHILL, of No. 30, Alfred Place, Bedford Square, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH STREET
CABS."
"
This Invention relates to vehicles to be used as four wheeled cabs are used at
present, but instead of having four wheels I only have two, and I arrange the

page_text: body that four and in some cases five persons may occupy the interior and sit
face to face, the door being at the back instead of at the side or sides. The
frame of the vehicle is of iron, and has axle arms projecting from the sides for
the wheels to be mounted upon. By this method I dispense with the usual axle
running under the body. The body is supported upon springs, and the driver's
seat is at front over a cross spring which connects two side springs. Under the
driver's foot board a space is left upon the front part of the frame for the
reception of luggage if desired, or the roof may be used as by the present four
wheeled cabs for luggage.
My Invention will be clearly understood by the annexed Sheet of Drawings, in
which Figure 1 is a plan, and Figure 2 a side view of my metal under frame
composed of bars A, A, braced together by transverse bars B, B, which form supports
for a plate C of perforated or plain surface, upon which light articles of luggage,
as in dotted lines, can be placed if desired. D, D, are the shafts formed in a piece
with the side frames A, A, and E, E, are the two axle arms also in a piece with a
projection from the side frames A, A, which are swayed out or of greater thickness
at that part of their length to give greater strength and rigidity to the centre
where the most weight has to be carried.
The back ends of the side frames A, A, are turned or curved downward, and
their ends are braced by a cross bar or stay F, which is arranged below the body G
of the cab when supported on the springs H, H, as in Figure 3, the body G being
hung to the frames A, A, a little behind the axle arms E, E, for the better balance
of the body when the driver is upon his seat.
To the outer sides of the body G under the inner seats I fix slotted plates J, J,
as shown in Figure 3, up and down the slots of which blocks K, K, can slide, the
blocks K, K, being affixed to the side frames A, A, or to the turned down ends, as
in the detail views Figures 4 and 5, to prevent side sway or oscillations of the
body G while the vehicle is in motion, and to steady it in its vertical motion to
give ease and comfort to the occupants.
The inner seats of my improved cab are arranged fore and aft like those of an
ordinary omnibus or tram car, and the occupants sit face to face in a similar
manner, as is shown on the half sectional views Figure 6 and 7 of the Drawings,
the door or doors L being at the back instead of at the sides as with ordinary four
wheeled cabs.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,
The improved street cab shown at Figures 3, 6, and 7 of the annexed Drawings,
the frame and other parts Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, being arranged or affixed and
used in conjunction, as described, for establishing lightness of draught, a good
balanced body, less vibration and oscillation while travelling, and giving ease and
comfort to the occupants.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Greenhill, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
THOMAS GREENHILL. (L.S.)