IMPROVED APPARATUS OR FITTINGS TO BE EMPLOYED WITH TARPAULIN OR SHEET COVERINGS OF RAILWAY WAGONS, PARTLY APPLICABLE ALSO. FOR EMPLOYMENT WITH SIMILAR COVERINGS FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, WILLIAM HAYWARD, of Vulcan Works, Willenhall Road, Wolverhampton, in
the County of Stafford, foncing manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
our invention for IMPROVED APPARATUS OR FITTINGS TO BE EMPLOYED WITH
TARPAULIN OR SHEET COVERINGS OF RAILWAY WAGONS, PARTLY APPLICABLE ALSO.
FOR EMPLOYMENT WITH SIMILAR COVERINGS FOR OTHER PURPOSES, to he as
follows:-
The chief object of this invention is to carry tarpaulin or shoot coverings of
railway wagons so that they may be more readily removed, either partially or
wholly, from covering or closing in the tops of the wagons, and also replaced, and
so that they are less liable also to catch pools of water, than when simply thrown
over the wagons in the usual way.
According to this invention, each wagon is provided at its ends with triangular
frames. A longitudinal bar, having a journal at each end, is carried lengthways of
the wagon in bearings at the tops or apices of the triangular frames, aforesaid.
Pieces of tarpaulin or sheet are spread over the frames at each end, so as to close
in the ends of the wagon, and a tarpaulin or sheet is connected with the longi-
tudinal bar and falls therefrom on each side over each half of the wagon so as to
entirely cover in such wagon. This last mentioned tarpaulin or sheet may be
rolled up, so as to uncover the wagon, by simply revolving the longitudinal bar,
and such bar may then, if desired, be removed with the tarpaulin or sheet rolled
around it. The triangular frames may be carried on the ends of the wagon by
means of forks or jaws on their lower ends, and one or each slanting bar of such
frame may be jointed with a knee-joint near the apex of the triangle, so that the
frames may be closed up, and the tarpaulins or sheets folded around them, for
removal. The bearing on the top of each frame is preferably formed outwards so
that the longitudinal bar may be carried out somewhat beyond the frames, in order

page_text: that the tarpaulin or sheet on such bar may over-lap the slanting sides of the
frame, and make a water tight joint with the tarpaulins or sheets which are spread
over such frames.
The longitudinal bar has a square or other suitably-shaped part on one end. by
which it may be revolved by means of a handle, and this bar may be very advan-
tageously formed hollow with a slotted opening along its under side for the
reception of the tarpaulin. The centre of the tarpaulin or sheet is then inserted
through the slotted opening, and an interior rod is pushed along inside the hollow
bar and within the loop or fold of the tarpaulin or sheet therein, thus securely
fixing the tarpaulin or sheet to the bar, and making a perfectly water tight joint
as the tarpaulin or sheet is, in such case, in a continuous piece through its whole
connection with the bar. When a hollow bar is employed, one or both ends must
be fixed as a plug or plugs within the end or ends of the hollow part. The edges
of the tarpaulin, in all cases, may be fixed by means of strings and eyelet holes, or
in any convenient manner. Metal strips may be fixed along the horizontal edges
of the tarpaulin fixed to the horizontal bar so as to be rolled up therewith, and the.
eyelet holes may be formed through such strips, by which means the edges of the
tarpaulin are greatly strengthened. It will be seen that the above method of
carrying the tarpaulins or sheets secures thorough drainage of rain water therefrom.
When it is desired to uncover one side of the wagon only, the part of the
tarpaulin or sheet on that side may be thrown back over the longitudinal bar.
A hollow bar with interior rod as above described may be employed, substan-
tially in the manner described, for carrying a tent or rick sheet or similar covering;
and such sheet may, if desired, be fixed to the interior rod only and be rolled up
thereon and inside the hollow bar, but in this latter case, of course, the interior rod
must be capable of being readily revolved within the bar.

page_text: I WILLIAM HAYWARD, of Vulcan Works, Willenhall Road, Wolverhampton in
the County of Stafford, Fencing Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of
my, invention for IMPROVED APPARATUS OR FITTINGS TO BE EMPLOYED WITH
TARPAULIN OR SHEET COVERINGS OF RAILWAY WAGONS, PARTLY APPLICABLE ALSO
FOR EMPLOYMENT WITH SIMILAR COVERINGS FOR OTHER PURPOSES, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon (that is to say):-
The chief object of this invention is to carry tarpaulin or sheet coverings of
railway wagons so that they may be more readily removed, either partially or
wholly, from covering or closing in the tops of the wagons, and also replaced, and
so that they are less liable also to catch pools of water, than when simply thrown
over the wagons in the usual way.
According to this invention, each wagon is provided at its ends with slanting-
sided frames. A longitudinal bar, having a journal at each end, is carried length-
ways of the wagon in bearings at the tops or apices of the frames, aforesaid.
Pieces of tarpaulin or sheet are spread over the frames at each end, so as to close
in the ends of the wagon, and a tarpaulin or sheet is connected with the longi-
tudinal bar and falls therefrom on each side over each half of the wagon, so as to
entirely cover in such wagon. This last-mentioned tarpaulin or sheet may be
rolled up, so as to uncover the wagon, by simply revolving the longitudinal bar,
and such bar may then, if desired, be removed with the tarpaulin or sheet rolled
around it. The slanting-sided frames may be carried on the ends and sides of the
wagon by means of forks or jaws on their lower ends. These frames may, when
desired, be lifted up from the wagon, for removal, and the tarpaulins or sheets
spread over them may be removed either separately or along with the frames. The
bearing on the top of each frame is, proferably, formed outwards, so that the
longitudinal bar may be carried out somewhat beyond the frames, in order that
the tarpaulin or sheet on such bar may the more easily overlap the slanting sides
of the frame, and make a water-tight joint with the tarpaulins or sheets which are
spread over such frames.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the top of a railway wagon,
having the apparatus above described fixed upon it. The parts are shown broken
away in the centre for convenience of illustration, and the tarpaulins are shewn
only on the left hand half of the figure. Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same,
the tarpaulins being again shewn on the left-hand half of the figure only.

page_text: Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several
views.
A is an ordinary railway wagon, on the ends and sides of which are carried a
pair of slanting-sided frames B B. Each of these frames consists (preferably) of
three flat wrought iron bars a a etc. formed together in one piece at the top, but
diverging in a downward direction so as to form a tripod. The lower ends of these
bars are fixed by forks or jaws to the upper edge of the railway wagon, near the
end of each side in the case of two of the bars, and in the centre of the end in the
case of the third or middle bar.
One of these forks is shewn in edge elevation by figure 7, and in back or inside
elevation by figure 8. In these figures A is, as before, a portion of the upper
part of the railway wagon, and a the lower end of one of the bars of a tripod
frame B. d is a tongue punched outwards from the bar, and leaving tongues e e
on either side, as shown. The tongue d on the one hand, and the pair of tongues e é
on the other, form a fork or jaw which clips or embraces the upper edge of the
wagon.
ff are angle bearings riveted to the tripod frames, or otherwise fixed thereto.
C is a longitudinal bar carried in the bearings ff. Figure 4 is a longitudinal
vertical section of the bar C, broken in its length for convenience of illustration,
figure 5 an end view thereof, figure 6 a section taken on line a x of figure 4, and
figure 6* a section taken on line y y of figure 4. g is a round tubo, through the
lower part of which a slot his formed running the greater part of its length.
Through this slot the central part of the tarpaulin D is looped (sec figure 6") and
is fixed by a rod i (preferably tubular), of a diameter somewhat less than the
internal diameter of the tube g. This rod is passed through the loop of the
tarpaulin to fix it in the tubular bar g, and is tapered at one end so as to be easily
inserted within such loop. k¹ are journals, having plugs r fitting tightly
within the ends of the tube g. The outer end of the journal & is formed square, 'as
shewn in figure 5, so that a winch handle may be placed thereon by which to
revolve the bar. The plug r¹ must be fixed after the bar i has been inserted
through the loop of a tarpaulin to fix it, and must be removed when it is desired
to remove such tarpaulin. l, figure 5, is a circular hole through the bearing f.
and m, figure 6, is an inclined slot in the bearing f¹. n is a hanging stop hinged
to the upper part of the bearing f¹ by a pin o. As the bar C is being placed in
position, the journal k is first pushed through the aperture l, and the journal k' is
then lowered into the slot m, pushing on one side the stop n, which, as soon as the
journal is in place, falls again into its vertical position, and thus prevents the
journal from rising accidentally.
E is an end tarpaulin spread over one of the frames B, the left-hand half of such
tarpaulin only being shewn in figure 2, as before stated. It has an aperture c
through its upper part, which is passed over the bearing f to place it in position.
pp etc. are eyelet holes along its lower edge, through which cords are passed to
fasten it. qq etc. are similar eyelet holes along the edges of the tarpaulin D.
Each half of the tarpaulin D, that is the part over each half of the truck, is wider
below than above so that it may overlap the end tarpaulins, as shewn on the
left-hand side of figure 2. Before it is rolled up, by revolving the bar C, these
overlapping parts must be fastened back, on to itself, by an eyelet hole and button
or other means, so that its width all through shall be less than the distance between
the bearings fand f¹, in order that it may be evonly rolled upon the bar C.
It will be seen that the above method of carrying the tarpaulins or sheets secures
thorough drainage of rain water therefrom.
When it is desired to uncover one side of the wagon only, the part of the
tarpaulin or.sheet on that side may be thrown back over the longitudinal bar.
A hollow bar with interior rod as above described, may be employed, substan-
tially in the manner described, for carrying a tent or rick sheet, or similar covering;
and such sheet may, if desired, be fixed to the interior rod only, and be rolled up

page_text: thereon and inside the hollow bar; but in this latter case, of course, the interior
rod must be capable of being readily revolved within the bar.
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 apparatus or fittings for employment with tarpaulin or sheet
coverings of railway wagons, substantially as and for the purpose herein described,
and shewn by the drawings herewith.
2. A hollow bar capable of revolving in suitable bearings, in combination with
an interior rod or tube for the purpose of fixing a tarpaulin or sheet covering for a
railway wagon, or a similar covering for other purpose, to such bar, so that such
covering may be rolled up thereon, and with suitable means for revolving such bar,
substantially as herein described, and shewn by the drawings herewith.
3. The means of fixing a tarpaulin or sheet within the bar referred to in the
preceding claim, that is to say an internal bar passed through a loop of the
tarpaulin or sheet, substantially as and for the purposes herein described, and
shewn by figure 4 of the drawings herewith.
4. The hanging stop n in combination with the inclined slot m, substantially as
and for the purpose herein described, and shewn by the drawings herewith.
5. The slanting-sided frames B B substantially as and for the purpose herein
described, and shewn by the drawings herewith.
6. The bearings ff¹ set outwards from the frames B B, substantially as and for
the purpose herein described, and shown by the drawings herewith.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton,
Agent for the Applicant.