IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELED VEHICLES."
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Julian Bernard, of Norfolk Street, Strand, in the County
of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELED VEHICLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Julian Bernard at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th June 1878.
JULIAN BERNARD, of Norfolk Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELED VEHICLES."
"
My invention relates chiefly to that description of vehicles in respect of which
Letters Patent were granted to me, dated Twenty-first April, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six, No. 169876, and consists, first, of an improved mode of
holding up and securing the tail board.
In carrying out the improved plan d avail myself of the swing imparted to the
tail board by its own gravity when unfastened in connection with a retaining catch,
by which it is held underneath the vehicle in such a position as will protect it from
any injury during the operating of emptying the vehicle of its contents wholly or
partially.
Secondly. In the employment of a bar pivotted at its centre to the tail board,
and made of sufficient length to project beyond its ends and engage with retaining
hooks or catches at opposite sides of the vehicle, one of which is formed to catch the
bar on its top side, and the other on the under. This bar is actuated either directly
by hand or by one arm of a bell-crank lever placed and pivotted vertically on one
of the sides of the vehicle, the other arm of which is secured to one extremity of a
connecting rod, the opposite extremities of which is formed, or is provided with a
handle, which the carter pulls when he desires to unfasten the tail board, the result
of which would be its swinging on its hinges and ascend towards the bolts, in which
position it is held. This operation can be performed by attaching the end of the
connecting rod to one. arm of a bell-crank placed horizontally and pivotted on the
sole or lower framing, the other arm being connected to and actuated by a cross bar
or rod which is employed for locking and unlocking the cart. By this arrangement

page_text: the two operations can be performed simultaneously and at one operation through
the cross bar.
Thirdly. A method and means of constructing and forming the parts of the sides
and sole of the cart which come in immediate contact with the tail board, so that
any grit or other material which accidentally or otherwise comes between the tail
board and such parts is readily removed or disposed by the action of the said parts
which insures close contact between the parts, and which I effect by providing such
parts with metallic surfaces, shields, or shears which admit of the contact surfaces
being so reduced that when the parts are forced together any material between
them is readily displaced, and a close joint insured.
Fourthly. Method and means of holding the body of carts at any desired angle
for facilitating the entire or partial discharge of their contents, and consists of the
following arrangements and parts:-I connect a flat metal bar containing several
holes to the bottom of the body of the cart, near its front, which bar passes through
a slide provided with hollow trunnions, and which form bearings by which it is
supported in two suitable blocks or chains secured to cross pieces which connect the
shafts together; the trunnions are bored at right angles to the shaft, through which
the bar is free to pass and admit of a round rod passing through them, and also
through any of the holes in the bar on lifting the body of the cart to any desired
angle or inclination at which it can be held by means of the round rod, which latter is
placed horizontally, one end being inserted in one of the hollow trunnions, which serve
as its support and bearing, the opposite end being supported in one of the shafts or
their framing, and moved to and fro as required by means of a longitudinal flat rod
passing through an eye or slot formed in the round rod and pivotted at one end in
the frame while the other end forms a handle which serves to insert or withdraw
the round rod as required.
Fifthly. It consists of a means of lessening the concussion to which carts are
liable in the operation of tipping, which I effect by means of a spring connected to
the said perforated bar at one end, while the other end is either secured at the
cross bar connecting the end of the shafts or to the axle of the vehicle.
Sixthly. A method and means of balancing two-wheel vehicles on horses, by which
less or more of the weight of the load is thrown on the horse's back, and consists of
so arranging the body of the cart in relation to the shafts and other parts connected
with it that the front of the body can admit of being lowered to such an extent
that when a load is being pulled or conveyed on an inclined road the load can be
trimed so as to increase or decrease the weight on the animal's back as may be
required, and according to the degree of ascent or descent, as the case may be. One
method by which I effect this consists of the following arrangements:-The body
of the vehicle being placed inside the shafts on free centres the cross bar or sup-
porting piece or pieces in front are placed sufficiently in advance of the body of the
carts as to admit of its descending and moving on the free centres and within the
shafts, where it is secured by means of suitable adjustable stops under the control
of the carter, and so retained by a suitable fastening connected to a cross bar, to
which is connected a convenient handle by which the carter actuates the
mechanism.
Seventh. My Invention also relates to the tyres of wheels, which I form with a
raised or projecting part on the inner side. These tyres are not endless but brought
together and secured at each end to a metal piece or plates which form a junction
or intermediate connecting piece between the tyre and other parts of the wheel.
The rim of the wheel is grooved to correspond with the projecting part or parts
of the tyre, and the connecting piece so formed and constructed that the tyre can
be readily removed from the wheel for being shortened or otherwise repaired, the
connecting piece being provided with elongated and other suitable holes to admit of
cotters: bolts, or other fastenings, by which the improved tyres are secured; this
head of my Invention is more especially adapted for steel tyres, and for
dispensing with the operation of welding.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Julian Bernard in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th
December 1878.
JULIAN BERNARD, of Norfolk Street. Strand, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELED VEHICLES."
My said Invention relates, first, to that description of vehicles in respect of which
Letters Patent were granted to me dated 21st April, 1876, No. 16987 and consists
of an improved mode of holding up and securing the tail board.
In carrying out the improved plan I avail myself of the swing imparted to the
tail board by its own gravity when unfastened in connection with a retaining catch
by which it is held underneath the vehicle in such a position as will protect it
from any injury during the operation of emptying the vehicle of its contents wholly
or partially.
My Invention relates, secondly, to the tyres of wheels, which, in some instances, I
form with a raised or projecting part on the inner side.. These tyres are not
endless, but brought together and secured at each end to a metal piece or plate
or plates which forms a junction on an intermediate connecting piece between the
tyre and other parts of the wheel.
The rim of the wheel is grooved or recessed to correspond with the projecting
part or parts of the tyre, and the connecting piece or pieces so formed and con-
structed that the tyre can be readily removed from the wheel for being shortened
and tightened or otherwise repaired.
The connecting piece being provided with elongated and other suitable holes to
admit of adjustment, and cotters, bolts, or other fastenings by which the improved
tyres are secured, this head of my Invention is more especially adapted for steel
tyres, and for dispensing with the operating of welding.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now pro-
ceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference indicating
corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of my Drawing represents a side view of a cart body placed horizontally
without shafts, and the wheels being removed to clear the view and illustrate
more fully this part of my Invention, and the manner in which it may be carried
out Figure 2 is a corresponding view of Figure 1, representing a section across the
line A.
B represents an end view of the improved tail board, fully described in the
Specification of the said former Letters Patent, in which Specification it is described
as being pulled up under the cart, and so held by means of a chain or other flexible
connection during the operation of tipping, and until the vehicle is emptied of its
contents. The object of this part of the present Invention is to supersede the said
arrangement my more simple means, which will be readily understood by reference
to Figures 1 and 2 of my Drawing. The tail board B is secured to straps B', which
are carried on the rod H, which extends from one side of the framing to the other,
and forms with the straps hinges on which it is free to move. C represents a
catch which serves to retain the tail board in the necessary position until the cart
is emptied of its contents by tipping or otherwise; D is a spring which holds it in
the required position, and which is fastened on the plate E, in which is secured
a stud which serves to carry the catch G with its handle C¹. On pressing this
handle the tail board will be released and swung upon its hinges, after which it can
be raised until it occupies the position indicated by the dotted lines 1, 1, in
which it is represented as shut. On the catches F, F, being raised it will open,
will swing upon its hinges, and resume the
and on being allowed to fall it
position in which it is now shewn.

page_text: Figures 3 and 4 represent a novel method and means of connecting tyres to
wheels for general conveyances, and is more especially intended for connecting
tyres of certain descriptions of steel.
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 show views of details employed for connecting such tyres
instead of welding to each other and to the wheels, for which they are intended.
A, Figure 3 on the Drawing, shew an elevation partly in section; and 4, a
plan of the wheel, shewing the improved method; and Figures 5, 6, 7, & 8 shew
details of the same.
A, Figures 1 and 2, represents a wheel with a tyre, a portion of the wood being
shewn in section.
A connecting piece or plate shewn in larger size in Figures 5 and 6 shews more
clearly the connecting piece; and Figures 7, 8, and 9 shew modifications of the same.
The ends of the improved tyres are formed and shaped to correspond and take
into the notched parts of the connecting piece. Figure 6, and also formed to admit
of the bolt. D. When a wheel is shod with the improved method the ends
are brought, immediately over the connecting piece into the proper position, and
if formed with an internal projection must be sufficiently ported or opened to
pass over the rim of the wheel. The diameter of each tyre being made accurate to
correspond with the wheel for which it is intended, and the notched ends being
forced into the recessed part of the connecting piece while hot, it will be found on
cooling that it will be sufficiently tight upon the wheel should it not have a pro-
jecting internal part, as shown at Figure 3. it will be desirable that it be further
secured by bolts or nails to the rim in the usual manner. When such tyres are
connected by a plain piece rivetted, as shown at Figure 7. a recess is cut in the rim
of the wheel to correspond with the connecting plate and receive it.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect. I
would observe in conclusion that I do not limit or confine myself to the precise
details given, but what I claim is the Invention as herein-before described and set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Julian Bernard, have to this my Specification
set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of December, One thousand
aight hundred and sovonty-eight
J. BERNARD. (L.S.)