Improvements in Hoods, Canopies, Covers, and the like for Perambulators, Mail Carts, and other Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Dec., 1996
Complete Specification Left, 13th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 11th Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 13th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 11th Dec., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in Hoods, Canopies, Covers, and the like for
Perambulators, Mail Carts, and other Vehicles.
I, CHRISTOPHER DARBY Iron Merchant and Perambulator Manufacturer,'
Chester Road Cradley Heath Staffordshire do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is the improved construction of Hoods, Canopies
and Covers, for Perambulators, Mail Carts and other Vehicles, hereafter called,
Hoods & includes the application of an improved arrangement for opening and
closing the same.
The framework of the Hood is preferably made of Steel Wire & is much less
in bulk and weight than the frames in common use. It is composed of a suitable
number of curved or other shaped bows, fastened or hinged together at their
lower extremities, and covered with canvas or other material of the required.
shape and size. When the Hood is not required for use, the bows lie close.
together, with the folds of the covering between them, and in this position it
takes up very little space. The expansion of the Hood is effected by means
of the following improved mechanism. A loose ferrule or runner is fitted on.
the central or other bow, at each side, and each ferrule or runner has two arms
of suitable length connecting it with the outer or other bows These arms are
hinged or fastened both to the ferrule or runner, and preferably to the outer
bows, like the stays of an umbrella frame, 'and when the ferrule or runner is.
pushed upwards or downwards, the outer bows are extended until the two arms
come into a straight line with each other, at which point the Hood is expanded
to its utmost limit. If the arms are forced beyond the straight line, the inward
pressure of the outer bows has the effect of forcing the ferrule or runner against "
a peg or other suitable stop put to arrest its further movement at the proper point.
By this means the frame is automatically kept open as long as the ferrule or
runner is allowed to remain in the last named position & on drawing it upward
or downward again, the reverse action of the two arms aforesaid, draws together.
the outer bows & the Hood is again closed. If desirable, a catch may be used
to hold the ferrule or runner in position similar to that used in an umbrella
frame, in which case, the Hood could not be closed by any accidental movement
on the part of the occupant of the vehicle.
Dated this tenth day of December 1896
CHRISTOPHER DARBY.
Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Hoods, Canopies, Covers, and the like for
Perambulators, Mail Carts, and other Vehicles.
I, CHRISTOPHER DARBY, of Chester Villa, Cradley Heath, Staffordshire,
Perambulator Manufacturer and Iron Merchant, do hereby declare the nature o.
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of this Invention is the improved construction of Frames for Hoods,
Canopies, Covers and the like for Perambulators Mail Carts and other vehicles,
hereinafter called Hoods, and includes the application of an improved arrange-
ment for opening and closing the same.
The framework of the Hood is preferably made of Steel wire or strip, or some
other suitable material-It is composed of a suitable number of curved or other-
wise shaped bows fastened or hinged together at their lower extremities and
covered with canvas or other material of the requisite shape and size. When the
Hood is not required for use the bows lie together with the folds of the covering
upon or between them and from their light construction, they occupy an
extremely small amount of space.
In order to describe my invention I shall make reference to the accompanying
drawings without, however, binding myself to the exact details, relative pro-
portions or dimensions represented therein, as the same may be considerably
varied without departing from the invention.
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of the frame of the hood, when expanded, the
dotted lines showing the canves or other material stretched upon it.
represents a similar view of the frame when closed.
Fig. 2,
(1) For the purpose of expanding the hood, a loose ferrule or runner A. is fittedl
on each side of one of the inner bows (preferably the central one) and each ferrule
or runner has two arms B and B of suitable length connecting it with the outer
bows at C and C. These arms are hinged both to the ferrule or runner and to
the outer bows, like the stays of an umbrella, and when the ferrule or runner is
pushed upwards from the position shown in Fig. 2. the outer bows are extended
more and more until the two arms come into a straight line with each other, at
which point the hood is expanded to its utmost limits. If the ferrule or runner
be lifted still higher it will be automatically forced upwards by the inward
pressure of the outer bows and a peg or other suitable stop D is put to arrest its
turther movement at the proper point. The frame is thus kept open as
represented in Fig. 1. as long as the ferrule or runner is allowed to remain in
the position there shown, and on pressing the latter downwards again the reverse
action of the two arms B and 13 draws together the two outer bows. until the
hood is again closed, as shown in Fig. 2.
(2) The hood may also be expanded by the reverse movement of the ferrule or
runner A to that herein before described. That is to say, by a suitable adjust-
ment of the arms B1 and B2 with the two outer bows, the ferrule or runner when
the hood is collapsed may occupy a position near the top of the frame (see E
Fig 1.) instead of at the bottom, and the expansion of the hood would then be
effected by pressing the ferrule or runner downwards, exactly in the same manner
as by the upward movement herein before described. (3) If desirable a catch may
be arranged to hold the ferrule in position while the hood is expanded, similar
to that used on an umbrella frame; in which case the hood could not be closed
by any accidental movement of the occupant of the vehicle, or other person.

page_text: 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) The improved construction of the hood by means of which it is rendered
extremely light in weight and bulk as hereinbefore described and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
(2) The improved mechanism for expanding the hood, substantially as herein-
before described in paragraph 1. and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(3) The alternative method of expanding the hood by the reverse movement of the
ferrule or runner A as hereinbefore described in paragraph 2.
100
CHRISTOPHER DARBY.
Applicant.