IMPROVEMENTS IN OMNIBUSSES AND OTHER PUBLIC VEHICLES
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Frederick Miller, of Hammersmith,
in the County of Middlesex, and 45, Upper Stanhope St.,
Toxteth Park, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Coach
Builder, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OMNIBUSSES AND
OTHER PUBLIC VEHICLES.”
•
Scaled the 8th March 1872, and dated the 12th September 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Frederick Miller-
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 12th September 1871.
I, ROBERT FREDERICK MILLER, of Hammersmith, in the County"
of Middlesex, and 45, Upper Stanhope St., Toxteth Park, Liverpool,
in the County of Lancaster, Coach Builder, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OMNIBUSES AND OTHER
PUBLIC VEHICLES," to be as follows:-
My Invention of improvements in omnibuses or cars and other public
vehicles consists, Firstly, of constructing the under part of these
vehicles in such manner that the wheels work under the body, thereby

page_text: giving greater width inside, adding much to the convenience of
passengers, and enabling omnibuses with wheels constructed in the
ordinary manner of wood and iron or of iron to run on or off tramways.
Secondly, of constructing the under carriage of T iron. Thirdly, of
constructing the roof of T iron roof sticks. Fourthly, of constructing the
cross irons of T iron to carry the cross springs. Fifthly, of constructing
the body with cross battens. Sixthly, of constructing circular ended
omnibuses with waist in middle, rails running all round, and the top
cant rails also running all round, the panels running round and
following the middle rail. The bottom side is cut up so that the wheel
can lock under the body, the body being constructed with a wide
compass at the back and rounded ends with compass bars, or with
square ends. Seventhly, of forming a step out of the bottom bar, and
of the use of hind standard pillars brought down to carry the bottom
step. Eighthly, of a light iron exterior staircase made of gas tubing
for easy ascent to the roof. Ninthly, of sliding ventilators and shifting
windows, sliding up and down and in the front quarter. Tenthly, of
lining omnibuses with horsehair webbing instead of plush, especially for
use in hot climates. Eleventhly, of hanging omnibuses with a low
centre of gravity. Twelfthly, of constructing them so as to weigh from
four to five hundredweight less than usual, thereby effecting a great saving
in tractive power. Thirteenthly, of fitting omnibuses with an improved
indicator for indicating the numbers of passengers entering or mounting
the roof, and for indicating the separate fares received, and of fitting
them with an improved bell or whistle for communication between
passengers and the conductor. Fourteenthly, of constructing a new
break applicable to these or other public vehicles running on common
roads or tramways. Fifteenthly, for the adaptation of the use of
carburretted hydrogen gas for lighting omnibuses and tramway cars.
And of constructing such vehicles with what I designate a turret
roof," and of constructing improved seats on the roof or what is
commonly designated the "knife board."

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Robert Frederick Miller in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th March 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
FREDERICK MILLER, of Hammersmith, in the County of Middlesex,
and 45, Upper Stanhope Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Coach Builder, send grecting.
.
·
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Robert Frederick Miller, Her special
licence that I, the said Robert Frederick Miller, my executors,
administrators; and assigns, or such others as I, the said Robert
Frederick Miller, my executors, [administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle
of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OMNIBUSSES AND OTHER
PUBLIC VEHICLES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Robert Frederick Miller, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Robert Frederick Miller, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-.
My Invention of improvements in omnibusses or cars and other public
vehicles consists, Firstly, of constructing the under part of these
vehicles in such manner that the wheels work under the body, thereby
giving greater width inside, adding much to the convenience of

page_text: passengers, and enabling omnibusses, with wheels constructed in the
ordinary manner of wood and iron or of iron to run on or off tramways.
Secondly, of constructing the under carriage of T iron. Thirdly, of
constructing the roof of T iron roof sticks. Fourthly, of constructing
the cross irons of T iron to carry the cross springs. Fifthly, of
constructing the body with cross battens. Sixthly, of constructing
circular ended omnibusses with waist in middle, rails running all round,
and the top cant rails also running all round, the panels running round
and following the middle rail. The bottom side is cut up so that the
wheel can lock under the body, the body being constructed with a wide
compass at the back and rounded ends, with compass bars, or with
square ends. Seventhly, of forming a step out of the bottom bar, and
of the use of hind standard pillars, brought down to carry the bottom
step. Eightly, of a light iron exterior staircase made of gas tubing for
easy ascent to the roof. Ninthly, of sliding ventilators and shifting
windows, sliding up and down, and in the front quarter. Tenthly, of
lining omnibusses with horsehair webbing instead of plush, especially
for use in hot climates. Eleventhly, of hanging omnibusses with a low
centre of gravity. Twelfthly, of constructing them so as to weigh from
four to five hundredweight less than usual, thereby effecting a great saving
in tractive power. Thirteenthly, of fitting omnibusses with an improved
indicator for indicating the number of passengers entering or mounting
the roof, and for indicating the separate fares received, and of fitting
them with an improved bell or whistle for communication between
passengers and the conductor. Fourteenthly, of constructing a new
break applicable to these or other public vehicles running on common
roads or tramways. Fifteenthly, for the adaptation of the use of
carburretted hydrogen gas for lighting omnibusses and tramway cars.
And of constructing such vehicles with what I designate a "turret” roof,
and of constructing improved seats on the roof or what is commonly
designated the "knife board."
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Frederick Miller, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of March,
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
ROBT. FRED. MILLER. (L.S.)