IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRAM CARS WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER VEHICLES SUCH AS OMNIBUSES
Year: 1885

page_text: I SAMUEL SEELIC of 14 Chiswell Street, Finsbury London Manufacturer do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF TRAM CARS WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER VEHICLES
SUCH AS OMNIBUSES and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention bas for its object to increase the confort utility and convenience
of tram cars and other similar vehicles-The first part of my invention consists of
a novel construction of tram car which is illustrated in longitudinal section at
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings and of which the following is a description.
I construct the car with an upper and lower compartment or storey thus
materially increasing its carrying capacity-a indicates the lower floor-and 6 the
lower seats-c indicates the upper floor-and d the upper seats access to which is
obtained by staircases g g-The roof of the vehicle is of a curvilinear form and
fixed on suitable supports in such a manner as to leave an opening or space all
round between it and the top of the car for the purposes of ventilation at the same
time that it affords complete protection to the passengers in the upper seats from
wind and weather-The bottom compartment of the car is provided with windows
and lit at night by two lamps placed one at each end in the ordinary way.
The upper compartment is also provided with windows and is lit at night by
means of a lamp (f) fitted in the centre of the roof.
If preferred the whole of the upper compartment may be made of glass mounted
in an iron or wooden framing divided into openings of any convenient size fitted
with india rubber or other elastic packing to prevent noise and vibration.
The car may also if preferred be constructed of a circular instead of a rectangular
form as shewn in the drawing and the staircases leading to and from the upper
seats or gallery may be placed inside instead of outside while externally a

page_text: suitable drivers box is provided at each end fitted with the requisite brake lever
apparatus.
The roof of the car may also be made arched or dome shaped fitted with a
central light and fixed on supports raised above the car in the manner already
described so as to leave space all round for ventilation.
One object of so fitting the car with a raised roof is to permit the upper seats to
be used by the occupants as a smoking gallery the opening all round affording free
escape for the smoke.
The car may also be constructed entirely of iron and glass-and where steam
motors are employed the car may be heated by means of pipes connected with the
steam boiler.
One great advantage of my invention is that it greatly promotes the comfort
and convenience of the passengers Firstly By effectually protecting them from
the exigencies of the weather and Secondly by affording them light and warmth.
Another advantage is that the upper portion of the car can be utilised for
advertising purposes thus considerably increasing the profits arising from the
working of a line of tramways.
A third advantage is that by a slight modification it may be readily adapted to
existing tram cars and likewise to omnibuses wagonets and other similar vehicles.
Such modification is illustrated at Figs. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings
wherein a indicate tubular uprights fitted with standards a' carrying an arched
roof plate d strengthened by vertical standards f and horizontal cross bars fi.
In order to ensure lightness horizontal rollers c are mounted in suitable bearings
inside the roof plate-These rollers are fitted with blinds made of any suitable
material or fabric and such blinds are raised or lowered as desired by means of
cords and pulleys fitted to the uprights.
Blinds mounted and fitted in a similar manner are also placed at each end of the
framework behind the cross bars f¹ so as to allow of either or both ends of the
frame being temporarily screened up thus preventing inconvenience to the outside
passengers from the weather,
In order to afford protection to the feet and knees of outside passengers I fit a
supplementary hinged screen board (h) fig. 5 of any convenient depth to the rail of
the vehicle on each side just above the ordinary safety board so that in inclement
weather such supplementary screen can be raised thus affording shelter from the
rain and snow and adding to the comfort of the passengers-When so raised it is
fixed in position by means of a suitable support or supports placed in any
convenient position.
The roof plate may also be fitted with a centre lamp so that when the blinds are
drawn down sufficient light may be afforded whereby the passengers can read.
The apertures in the framework at each end above the cross bars f¹ may either
be left open or glazed and fitted with suitable ventilating apparatus so as to ensure
proper ventilation.
If preferred the blinds may be dispensed with and a suitable screen substituted
therefor but it will be found in practice that having regard to the desirability of
combining lightness and comfort in the adaptation of my invention to existing
vehicles the arrangement herein before specified possesses decided advantages over
any structure of a heavier description.
It will be obvious that when desired the framework may be readily unfitted and
removed from the top of the vehicle.
Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of the tubular uprights (a) and standards (a¹)
shewing one method of their being fastened together.
I would here observe that I do not limit myself to the precise details of con-
struction hereinbefore set forth either with respect to the improved construction of
car shewn in Fig. 1 or to the modification shewn at Figs. 2, 3, & 5, as the same
admit of variation in detail without departing from the main features of my
invention,

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 tram car substantially as hereinbefore specified
and shewn.
2° The application of such improved construction to omnibuses and other similar
vehicles.
3° The modification and adaptation of my invention to existing tram cars
omnibuses wagonets and other similar vehicles substantially in the manner and for
the purposes herein before specified and shewn.
Dated this 22nd day of July 1885.
ELT & Co.,
33, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London,
Agents for the Applicant.