METHOD OF APPLYING WHEELS TO PORTMANTEAUX TRUNKS, BOXES CASES BAGS KNAPSACKS, AND PACKAGES, FOR FACILITATING THE REMOVAL OF THE SAME AND ALSO FOR CONVERTING THEM INTO VEHICLES
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I FREDERICK OPPENHEIM of 371 City Road in the County of Middlesex,
Wholesale Stationer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for A METHOD
OF APPLYING WHEELS TO PORTMANTEAUX TRUNKS, BOXES CASES BAGS KNAPSACKS,
AND PACKAGES, FOR FACILITATING THE REMOVAL OF THE SAME AND ALSO FOR
CONVERTING THEM INTO VEHICLES to be as follows:-.
I make of any suitable Material a flat oblong hollow trunk or box, henceforth
called "The Box," the two narrow sides of which are partly removed from one
corner, leaving an opening sufficiently large to allow a wheel as large as can
conveniently lie witbin "The Box to be slipt in and out edgeways, and this
opening may be closed by shutters or lids that may be locked.
"
On each sides of the opening in the longest narrow side of "The Box" and
nearer to the corner than to the end of the opening I fasten two bearings or axle
boxes opposite to each other. In the shorter narrow side of "The Box," opposite
the opening and close to the corner diagonally opposite the open corner, I make an
opening sufficient to allow a bar lever or handle, as long as "The Box" to be slipt
or drawn in and out. On each of the broad sides of "The Box" I attach a
Portmanteau, case, box, bag trunk or knapsack of the same shape and of about the
same size as "The Box" either permanently by means of hinges screws or bolts, or
temporarily by means of straps or other removable fastenings. The wheel and
handle having been slipt or placed in "The Box" and the lids (if any) closed the
whole way then travel safely by either Wagons, Rail or ship like any other
ordinary package.
When in use "the lids (if any) being opened the wheel is partly drawn out of
"The Box" sufficiently to bring its center or axle box in a line with the two
bearings fastened on "The Box," or pin, spindle or axle is inserted through the
bearings and the center or axle-box of the wheel which is thon mounted and free to
revolve on its center. The handle is partly drawn out of "The Box" and stands
in a line with the longer narrow side, the protruding part of the wheel is placed
on the ground the end of the handle is raised up and held obliquely in the hand
and the whole may be wheeled along like a wheelbarrow or a Perambulator.

page_text: "
The center of the wheel is so placed in "The Box" that by holding the handlo
at the proper height and angle the whole of the weight of the apparatus is
balanced and rests on the wheel whilst the handle serves to direct it with ease.
For shortness and clearness sake I will henceforth call drawing or slipping the
wheel partly out of "The Box" and bringing it into use "Shipping" the wheel,"
and the reverse or pushing the wheel back within "The Box" and housing it,
Unshipping" ""the wheel.'
In an other form of my invention instead of "shipping the wheel" by inserting
a spindle in the bearings and in the center of the wheel as in the preceding form
I connect the spindle and wheel in various ways with springs and levers or straps,
cords, chains and pulleys which being put in motion by the handle automatically
ship" or "unship" the wheel by one single notion of the said handle, that is to
say drawing the handle out of "The Box ships" the wheel, pushing the handle
back into "The Box" "unships" the wheel.
"2 66
This form is preferred when the "shipping" and "unshipping" of the wheel has
to be done frequently.
In an other form I use two wheels instead of one, a large one and a smaller one
which comes entirely out of "The Box" when " 'shipped" and which being
mounted like a furniture "caster" can turn in and take any direction, in this case
one of the longest narrow sides of "The Box" is open to allow the wheels to slip
out, or to be shipped."
"
"Both" wheels being "unsbipped" or "shipped" either together automatically
by one motion of the handle which is hinged at the opposite longest narrow side
of "The Box or separately by other means.
"
When shipped and in use both wheels are placed on the ground the end of the
handle raised and the whole may be wheeled along.
In this case the apparatus travels horizontally or parrallel to the ground, the
handle may be held obliquely or vertically that is to say perpendicular to the
ground, The whole of the weight of the apparatus rests on the two wheels.
The receptacles to be carried may be permanently or temporarily attached on
each side of the apparatus, or packages may be slung on each sides like on a pack
horse or mule.
Two such apparatuses may be fastened together and any receptacle fastened or a
load slung between them and the handles connected.
The sizes of those apparatuses may vary from that suited for a Perambulator,
a Bicyclo or a Tricycle to that of vehicles requiring horses to draw them along,
shafts being connected with the smaller wheels and horses or other animals
harnessed to them.
This invention is also applicable to "Soldiers Knapsacks
«The Box" and corre-
sponding wheel being made the size of a knapsack which is fastened on one side of
it, the ammunition and Rifle on the other side, the whole balanced on the wheel
which is mounted as in the first form and the Rifle serving as the handle.
Two such apparatuses being fastened together a wounded or fatigued soldier or
an extra weight or load may be carried on the top of the Knapsacks the whole
having the appearance of a trolly of which the two Rifles would be the shafts or
handles.
In some cases I apply springs India rubber Tyres and friction balls and rollers
to the wheels and axles, also "The Box" may be made of various shapes.

page_text: I FREDERICK OPPENHEIM of 371 City Road in the County of Middlesex
Stationer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for A METHOD OF
APPLYING WHEELS TO PORTMANTEAUX TRUNKS, BOXES, CASES, BAGS, KNAPSACKS
AND PACKAGES FOR FACILITATING THE REMOVAL OF THE SAME, AND ALSO FOR
CONVERTING THEM INTO VEHICLES and in what manner the samo is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
I make of any suitable material which may be wood, lin plates Iron, steel or any
cheap and strong metal or material, a hollow trunk or box henceforth called "The
Box"
represented by A A Fig. 1 in elevation and perspective, and in plan at
Fig. 3.-end views Figs 4 & 5 and side view at Fig 6. similar letters representing
similar objects.
The two narrow sides of "The Box" A from the corner c to a Fig 1 & 4 and
from the same corner c to b Fig G are partly removed leaving an opening sufficiently
large to allow a wheel W Fig. 7 as large as can conveniently lie within "The
Box" A to be slipt edgeways in and out of the said "Box " A.
On each sides of the opening cb at d. Figs 1. 3 & 61 fasten or fix two bearings
or axle boxes, the distance from d to the corner c being less than the radius of the
wheel W.
At the other opposite corner c' in the other short narrow side of "The Box" A
I make an opening c' b Figs 1. 3 & 5 sufficient to allow a bar lever or handle H.
Fig 2 & 2 about as long as "The Box" to be slipt or drawn in and out.
This handle may be made of wood Iron or steel or of a combination of them. On
each of the broad sides of "The Box" AI attach a case box or trunk of about the
same length and height but of various breadths represented at B Fig. 8, either
permanently by means of hinges screws or bolts or temporarily by means of straps
or other removable fastenings, or I may attach in the same manner portmanteaux
bags packages or receptacles of any kind.
Fig. 11 represents an elevation in perspective of "The Box" A with two cases B
fastened on each side. Figs 9 and 10 are the two end views of the same.-The two
openings a c Fig. 4 and cb Fig G may be closed by shutters doors or lids either
hinged or sliding not represented in the drawings and which may be locked.
The wheel W Fig 7 having been slipt in The Box" A thro' the openings a c
and cb Figs + & and the Handle H Fig 2 thro' the opening c¹ b¹ Fig 5 as is
represented Fig. 12. The shutters being closed, when any, the whole may then
travel safely by either Wagon Rail or Ship like any other ordinary package.
"
Fig. 12 is partly plan and partly a sectional view of "The Box "A having one of
its broad sides removed to show how the wheel W and the handle H lic well
protected within the said "Box " A.
When in use the shutters if any being opened the wheel W is partly drawn out
of "The Box "A sufficiently to allow the hole n in the center of its nave N Fig 7
to come in a line with the two bearings d. d Figs 1. 3. 6 and 12 so as to allow a
pio spindle or axle p Fig 7° to be inserted thro' the bearings and the center of the
wheel W which is then mounted and free to revolve on its center. The handle H
is partly drawn out of the "Box "A and the whole is as represented Fig. 12 which
is like Fig 12 a section of the "Box" A with one broad side removed to show the
respective positions occupied by the wheel W and the handle H.

page_text: In both the above Figures H' is a block which may be fastened at different
angles inside "The Box and to both sides of it and against which the end of the
handle I remaining in "The Box" rests and is held firinly in position by means of
dowells or pins.
The outside appearance of the apparatus is represented Figs 13 & 14 being side
and end views respectively. The wheel W is resting on the ground and by holding
the end of the handle as represented the whole may be wheeled along like a
wheelbarrow.
The center of the wheel W is so placed that by holding the handle H. at the
proper height and angle the whole weight of the apparatus is balanced and rests on
the wheel whilst the handle serves to direct it with ease.
For shortness and clearness sake I will henceforth call drawing or slipping the
wheel partly out of the "Box" and bringing it into use, "Shipping" the wheel"
and the reverse or pushing the wheel within the "Box" or housing it, "Unshipping
the Wheel"
46
"
In an other form of my Invention instead of "Shipping" the wheel by inserting
a spindle in the bearings and in the center of the wheel as in the preceding form,
I connect the spindle and wheel in various ways with springs and levers or straps,
cords, chains and pulleys which being put in motion by the handle automatically
ship' ΟΙ
unship" the wheel by the motion of the said handle, ilat is to say,
drawing the handle out of "The Box" " 'ships" the wheel; pushing the handle back
into "The Box" " 'unships" the wheel.-To effect this in one form of my Invention
I mount the wheel W in an Iron or steel "Fork "fef Figs 15 & 16 some what in
shape like the mounting of the small wheel of a Bicycle, this Fork having as
represented Fig 16 a curved shape, at ff. Figs 15 & 16 are two holes to receive a
pin or axle which is held fast in them and passing thro' the center of the nave of
the wheel allows it to revolve freely on it, the nave of the wheel may be mado
hollow and provided inside with anti-friction rollers or balls.
The wheel so mounted is represented Figs 17 & 18-The top of the Fork at e is
firmly welded or rivetted to a piece of curved spring steel g. e. h. Fig. 18-having
hinges at each end g and h.-ij Fig 19 is an other piece of curved spring steel
about the same shape as g. e. h Fig 18 and having like it a hinge at each end
i and j.
The hinge Fig 18 fits in the hinge j Fig 19 whose hinge i fits in the hinge k of
the handle H Fig 20.-All those hinges being respectively "Male" and "Female."
The wheel having been mounted in its Fork and the hinges Figs 18. 19. & 20
connected as above by two pins the whole is placed inside "The Box" A as
represented Fig. 21, which like Figs 12 & 12 has one side removed to show the
action.
The Box A has at g. g. one hole drilled in each sides to receive a spindle or
pivot gg Fig 21 going thro' the full hinge or socket g of spring g. e. h Fig 18 and
this pivot becomes the "Fulcrum" of the whole, as when the handle H is drawn
out as at Fig 22 the different parts assume the relative positions represented there
at, and the wheel is thrust out or "Shipped," whilst when the Handle is thrust back
as at Fig. 21 the wheel is "unshipped."
"
In order to economise the space of "The Box" A 1 cause a curved groove to be
made internally in each of its two sides as repre-ented Figs 23 & 24 in which tho
Fork can travel, the said Fork having the same curve as the groove and the
circle to which both belong, being one of which the pivot g' g' is the center and
the distance from it to the farthest side of the "Fork" is the radius.
In an other form I use two wheels (of unequal sizes, generally) instead of one.
In that case "The Box A differs a little from Fig. 1 and is represented at Figs 26,
27 & 28: the opening a bis increased in length and continued to removing
almost entirely one of the narrow sides of The Box A. and two sets of
bearings dd and dare fixed on the said "Box" A Fig 26-28 whilst the
top opening for the handle is extended from c¹ to c² Fig 27.

page_text: "
The whole when in use or Shipped" as represented by Fig. 25 and 30 (in
section) and when packed up or "Unshipped" by Fig 29 (which is a sectional
view like Figs. 21, 22, 12 & 12a). The Handle H may be firmly fixed in variou
ways by pins lugs or bolts not shown in drawings.
In this form the whole of the Weight of the apparatus rests on the wheels and
the whole may be wheeled along like a perambulator, truck or trolly.
In an other form each wheel instead of revolving on a fixed pin or spindle has an
axle made fast to its nave Fig. 31, this axle S, is of sufficient length to protrude thro'
the sides of "The Box" A which has openings at a band a¹ b' Fig 33 to allow the
two ends of each axle to pass thro', whilst anti-friction wheels w. w. are mounted at
p. q. against the periphery of which the protruding ends of the axles S. S. are
revolving-These anti-friction wheels w. w. are fast on their spindles 8' 8' one end
of which turn.in holes drilled in the side of "The Box" A and the other end in
the brackets p. q. which are fixed by either screws or rivets on the saine side of
"Box" A. see Fig 33 and in enlarged section Fig 32-34 and 32* the same letters
referring to the same objects.
These anti-friction wheels replace the bearings d d and 'd d' in the other forms
of apparatuses.
When the wheels W are in use or shipped the spindles S. S. are at the point I'
Fig. 34 resting against the peripheries of the anti-friction wheels w. w. and kept in
this position by the catches or lovers K which oscillate on pivots a. and are pressed
by springs against axles S. S.-c. and d. are two small rollers or pulleys turning
on pins fastened on the side of "Box" A and on which runs a cord strap or chain
one end of which is fastened to the lever or catch K at f-and by pulling the said
cord or strap at R the lever is raised at c. and depressed at g. making it assume the
position marked in dotted lines and allowing the axle S to slip upwards at Q and
thereby "unshipping" the wheels which take the position represented Fig. 35.
In an other form the fixed axles attached to the wheels W and W' are placed
under the anti-friction wheels w. w. by one motion of the handle H-Figs 36 &
37 represent a
"Fork" a. b. c to mount the front W₁-a. a. are two holes to
receive a pivot or spindle:-b is a pulley, c. c are two holes, one on each side in
which the axle S of the wheel W₁ can turn perfectly loose as represented Figs 38
and 39.
Fige 40 & 41 represent a framing d. e. f. to mount the other wheel W. d. d. and
c. c. are holes which serve the same purpose for the wheel W as a. a and c. c serve
for the wheel W. Figs 42-43 represent The Wheel W so mounted.
The two wheels Wand W mounted as represented Figs 38 & 42 are placed inside
the Box A Fig. 44.-two holes being made on each side of the said Box A to receive
two pins one at a-and the other at d. to go thro' the respective holes of the same
name in the respective "forks" or mountings of the wheels allowing the said
mountings or framings to oscillate or turn on those pins.
A cord strap or chain is fixed at one end to d Fig 44 & 45, goes round the
pulley b and has its other end fastened at L to the handle H, which by being drawn
out until the hook comes against the pin i, and being raised as in Fig. 45 thrusts
out or "ships" the two wheels W and W. Whilst by pushing the handle in as in
Fig. 4 the wheels are "Unshipped" or drawn in, after the ends of the straps R
Fig 34 have been pulled.
Figs 44 and 45 are both sectional views of Box A.
In an other form when using two wheels, the small one may be mounted like a
furniture castor to take automatically any direction, or on a swivel like the small
wheels of a Tricycle and be mounted at the end of a lever o. p. Fig 46 & 47. the
end p. having a binge that can be fixed in the sides of the Box A Fig. 48-where
it is unshipped" and Fig. 49 where it is "shipped" the lever being kept in its
position by the catch or stop r. t. hinging at r.
The apparatuses Fig. 48 and 49 may be made of large size.

page_text: 6
Instead of attaching the receptacles or loads to be carried on each side of “The
Box" A as in all the preceding apparatuses, Two such apparatuses like "the
Box" A may be fastened to-gether and to any receptacle between them perinanently
or temporarily, or any load may be slung between thein. The handles if any being
connected together.
The sizes of those apparatuses may vary from that suited to a perambulator
tricycle or quator cycle to that of vehicles requiring horses to draw them along.
Shafts being connected with the small wheels and horses or other animals harnessed
to them.
"
Figs 50. 51. 52 & 53 represent the application of those apparatuses to form a
perambulator. Fig. 50 is a side view when Unshipped," it having merely the
appearance of a square or oblong box. Fig 51 is a sectional end view with the
back of the two " Boxes" removed to show how the two wheels W. lie housed in
them.
"
Fig. 52 represent the wheels "shipped," the lid a. e hinged at c. being opened and
serving as "back rest" and "handles" the other lid c. d. serving as "foot board;"
they being supported by the straps, chains cords, or connecting rods f. g. and i. h.
Fig. 53 is a back end view of the same.
Fig. 5 represent two apparatuses like Fig. 40 having the two ends of the double
cranked spindle 5 passed thro' bearings in each of the two "Boxca" AA and
thro' the center of the naves of the two large wheels W. W. in which it gets fixed.-
The two "Boxes" A being firmly connected and kept apart by two or more double
brackets a b. Fig. 54b, the ends fitting in recesses o. . in the "Boxes" A. A.
The seat 8. t being fixed on one or more of these brackets.-The two small
wheels W W being connected together and to any ordinary stearing gear, the whole
may he used as a Velocipede besides allowing luggage being carried between the
Boxes" (in this Fig. 5+ the front parts of both Boxes. A. A. are removed to show
the wheels W. W.).-The whole when "Unshipped" and disconnected packs in a
small compass and can travel safely by Rail, Ship or Wagon.
This Invention is also applicable to "soldiers' Knapsacks." The Box A Fig. 55
and corresponding wheel W being made about the size of an ordinary knapsack B
Fig. 56 which may be fastened on one side of it, the ammunition c and Rifle R on
the other side and the whole balanced on the wheel W. which is mounted as in the
preceding forms and the Rifle serving as the handle Figs 56 & 56.
Two such apparatuses being fastened together Figs 50 & 50 a wounded or
fatigued soldier or an extra load may be carried on the tops D. D. of the
knapsacks.
The fastening of the two apparatuses is effected by means of the brackets or
corner pieces a & b Fig 55ª & 55b and by the Bar E F Fig. 57 with its fastenings i. i.
and which serves as "back rest." The bracket Fig. 55b has a small board hinged
to it which serves as "foot rest" Fig. 55.
The ends of the Brackets a and b. 55 and 55b fit in recesses in the two
"Boxes" A. A and can be secured by screws, nuts or cotters of different sorts.
The whole as represented Fig 56, 56b & 56 has the appearance of a "trolly"
of which the two Rifles form the shafts or handles and can as such be wheeled
along.
The wheels may be of various kinds, those resembling Bicycle and Tricycle
wheels being well adapted in many cases.-They may also be mounted on springs,
have India rubber tyres and anti-friction balls and rollers, as well as the axles.
The "Boxes" may be of various shapes to suit the requirements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what
] claim is
The making of the various apparatuses as described in which a hollow"
"trunk" or a
"space" is provided in which when not in use "wheels" and handles

page_text: may lie protected from external injuries wilful or accidental, and travel safoly
by either Rail, Ship or Wagon; and which when in use can have the wheels
drawn out and mounted like carriage wheels so that the whole may be wheeled,
propelled or drawn along like any other vehicle, but make no claim to any
particular method of driving or propelling nor to any special form of gear.
Dated this 15th day of October 1884.