IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF OPENING AND CLOSING CARRIAGE HEADS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Wood, of Folkestone, in the County of Kent, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF OPENING AND CLOSING
CARRIAGE HEADS.”
Sealed the 19th March 1878, and dated the 12th October 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Wood at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th October 1877.
ALFRED WOOD, of Folkestone, in the County of Kent.
THE METHOD OF OPENING AND CLOSING CARRIAGE HEADS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention relates to the application of an improved apparatus for opening
and closing and fixing in position the heads of Landau, Barouche, Victoria, and other
similar carriages. It consists in the employment at each pillar (which are four in
number to a Landau) of a forked or jaw end lever carried by a hinge piece or fulcrum
screwed into (or adjustable on) the top flap of the pillow hinge. The lower part of
this lever is formed with a screwed stem or stud passing through the upper end of
one or more sliding pipes, and terminating in a conically shaped block of wood or
other material which occupies the interior of a spiral spring or springs working
within the said pipes. The upper end of the sliding pipes is screwed on to the
stem or stud of the forked lever, and by this means the tension of the spring or
springs is regulated; or the tension may be regulated by placing a series of collars
between the shoulders of lever and the top end of the aforesaid pipes. The lower
end of the sliding pipes is connected with a joint or hinge piece screwed into (or
adjustable on) the elbow or bottom flap of the pillar hinge. In lieu of confining
the spiral springs by the said pipes the stem or stud of the forked lever may be
extended and made to pass through the said joint or hinge piece, or the spring
may be protected by any other desirable means.
To the upper end of the forked lever is attached a rod or bar adjustable by means
of a forked nut or jaw piece screwed on to its upper end, so as to increase or decrease
the length of the rod as required. The jaw piece is jointed to an adjustable eye
formed with a stud or pin which is screwed into the back part of the roof or cant
rail above and beyond the centre of the cant rail hinge.

page_text: For a Barouche, Victoria, or other similar carriage head, I employ at their
respective sides the same means as above described, except that these being
without cant rails the adjustable rod or bar leading from the forked lever is dispensed
with.
To secure the head of a Barouche or Victoria or other similar carriage in a closed
or other desired position, I suspend from the hinge pieces or fulcrums of the forked
levers, previously described, ratchet rods or levers formed with indents or teeth on
their back edges, and their lower ends passing through slots in the elbow or bottom
flaps of the pillar and hoop stick hinges, so as to allow of the descent of the said
levers when the head is being folded back. At right angles, or nearly so, with the
edges of these ratchet levers, and extending to the back of the body frame are
rods sliding horizontally in guides, and tapered to points at their front ends, where they
engage with the indents or teeth on their said levers, their opposite or back ends
being connected with levers in the solid with a roller, and operated by hand in such
a manner that when the tapered ends of the said rods are thrown into gear, or
engage with either of the indents or teeth on the said levers, the head is thereby.
locked, and may be secured in any desired position, but when withdrawn from the
indents or teeth the head is free and can be easily moved in any direction determined
upon.
The above arrangement for fixing the head in different positions is exactly
applicable to a Landau.
My mode of securing a Landau head in its closed form is by the aid of a spring
head lock, which is fixed to the centre hoop stick of the front cant rail, and is so
'constructed as to fasten itself by the action of closing the head. It consists of a
lever working laterally on an axis between the two plates of a metal box, and
formed with a bevilled lip or hook bolt projecting through the end of the said box,
so as to easily enter and grip a slotted catch fixed in the opposite hoop stick. A
spring combined with this lever normally forces it towards or in gear with the said
slotted catch, thereby preventing the head from opening until the hook bolt of the
lever is withdrawn by means of a handle operated upon from the inside.
In setting forth my Invention I have not mentioned the application of the
usual outside head joints nor the inside head locks which may be severally used if
desired.
The action of lowering and raising the head is effected as follows:--When the
head is in its closed form the pressure of the springs is adjusted by the turning or
screwing of the upper pipe, with just sufficient force to maintain the head in that
position, and to counterbalance the weight when the head is being lowered. Upon
releasing the spring head lock or withdrawing the tapered rods from the teeth of
the ratchets and applying a gentle backward pressure to the cant rail or the top
pillar or its equivalent, the head commences to turn on its axis; the forked lever 4
revolves simultaneously, drawing with it in its descent the adjustable rod which com-
municates the same downward movement to the cant rail, thus extending the latter
with the pillar (when at rest) in a horizontal line with the centre of the pillar binge,
the centres of the adjustable fulcrum of the forked lever, and the adjustable hinge
piece or joint at the bottom end of the spring, into such relative positions as to 4
render the compressed springs powerless to raise the head until the said fulcrum is
slightly raised, when the springs immediately commence to exert their upward
influence and impel the head to regain its closed form.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred Wood in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th April
1878.
ALFRED WOOD, of Folkestone, in the County of Kent.
THE METHOD OF OPENING AND CLOSING CARRIAGE HEADS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention relates to the application of an improved apparatus for opening,
closing, and fixing in position the heads of Landau's, Barouche's, Victoria's, and
other similar carriages. It consists in the employment at each pillar (which are
four in number, to a Landau) of a forked or jaw end lever carried by a binge
piece or fulcrum screwed into (or adjustable on) the top flap of the pillar hinge.
The lower part of this lever is forined with a screwed stein or stud passing
through the upper end of one or more sliding pipes, and terminating in a conically
shaped block of wood or other material which occupies the interior of a spiral
spring or springs working within the said pipes. The upper end of the sliding
pipes is screwed on to the stem or stud of the forked lever, and by this means
the tension of the spring or spings is regulated; or the tension may be regulated
by placing a series of collars between the shoulder of lever and the top end of
the aforesaid pipes. The lower end of the sliding pipes is connected with a joint
or hinge piece screwed into (or adjustable on) the elbow or bottom flap of the
pillar hinge. In lieu of confining the spiral springs by the said pipes, the stem or
stud of the forked lever may be extended and made to pass through the said
joint or hinge piece, or the spring may be protected by any other desirable means.
To the upper end of the forked lever is attached a rod or bar, adjustable by
means of a forked nut or jaw piece screwed on to its upper end, so as to increase
or decrease the length of the rod as required. This jaw piece is jointed to an
adjustable eye formed with a stud or pin, which is screwed into the back part of
the roof or cant rail above and beyond the centre of the cant rail hinge.
This part of my Invention is illustrated by Sheet 1 of the accompanying
Drawings, where Figure 1 is a side elevation of the hind quarter of a Landau with
the head closed, but without its leather covering and the slots which support the
two back hoop sticks; Figure 2 shews the same head lying fully opened; and
Figures 3 and 4 are detached views of parts of Figures 1 and 2.
At each pillar A (which are four in number to a Landau) is a forked or jaw end
lever B carried by a hinge piece or fulerum C, which is screwed into (or adjustable
on) the top flap of the pillar hinge A¹. The lower arm or jaw a of the lever B
receives a screwed stem or stud D), which passes through and is screwed into the
upper end of the pipe E, sliding in the outer pipe F, and terminates in a conically
shaped block of wood or other material G which occupies the interior of the spiral
spring (or springs) H. contained and working within the pipes E and F. The upper
end of the pipe E being screwed on to the stem or stud D regulates the tension of
the spring (or springs) H; or their tension may be regulated by placing a series of
washers or collars between the shoulder of the jaw a of lever B and the upper end
of the pipe E. In ordinary cases a common nut I may be screwed on to the stem
or stud 1) before passing the latter through the pipe E. The lower end of the outer
pipe F is connected with a joint or hinge piece J screwed into (or adjustable on)
the elbow or bottom flap of the pillar hinge A¹.
By the adjustment of the hinge pieces or fulcrums C of the lever B, the pillars A
can be set to any desired angle, thereby always ensuring a secure locking to the
depressed head, as it frequently happens that the peculiar construction of the bodies
necessitates the pillars A taking up different positions more or less acute; but by
the screwing in or out of the fulcrums C a light and uniform lock is always attain-
able, whilst by the adjustment of the hinge pieces J, the lock to the depressed head
can be further increased or diminished, but in lesser degree than by the adjustment
of the fulcrums C.
In lieu of confining the spring (or springs) H by the pipes E and F, the stem or

page_text: stud D may be extended and passed through the hinge piece J, in which case it is
preferred to give it a slight upward curve, or the springs H may be protected in any
other desirable manner.
To the upper arm b of each forked or jaw end lever B is attached by a jaw end,
as shewn in Fig. 3 (or otherwise), a rod or link K, which is screwed at its upper end
to receive the jaw and nut L, by which the rod or link K is lengthened or shortened,
as required to suit the different lengths for Landau bodies of varying sizes. Into
the back end of the cant rail M above the centre and through the cant rail hinge N
(or not, according to the form of hinge used) is screwed the eye or hinge piece o
which is connected with the jaw nut L of the rod or link K, and by its adjustment
the cant rail M can be made to take up (when the head is thrown open) any
desirable position. Usually the eye or hinge piece O is adjusted to impart to the
cant rail M sufficient motion to extend it in a straight line with the face of the
pillars A when the head is opened to its fullest extent, as seen in Figure 2.
To secure the Landau when closed, I use a spring head lock P, shewn in
Figure 4, which represents the inside view of the near and off cant rails M, with the
two centre hoop stick Q, Q', attached thereto. The lock P consists of a lever R
working laterally between the two plates of a metal box S, and formed at its outer
end with a bevilled lip or hook c, which projects through the front end of the box S.
The axis of the lever R is so arranged as to allow of the latter being easily forced
back into the position shewn by dotted lines, which takes place upon its bevilled lip
or hook c coming in contact with the slotted catch T fixed in the opposite hoop
stick Q. The other end of the lever R is furnished with a knob or handle U
working (where it is attached to the lever R) in a slot V, and operated by hand
from the inside of the carriage. A spring W is attached to the back of the lever R,
which upon the coming together of the hoop sticks Q, Q¹, normally tends to force
the bevilled lip or hook c of the lever R over or in gear with the slotted catch T,
which it enters and grips until withdrawn on forcing back the lever R by the knob
or handle U, as above mentioned.
The usual outside head joints and inside head locks, with slight modification
to the former, may be severally used if desired.
For a Barouche, Victoria, or other similar carriage head, I employ at their
respective sides the same means as applied to a Landau, except that being without
rails the adjustable rods or links K leading from the forked or jaw end levers B are
dispensed with.
Figure 5, Sheet 2 of the Drawings, is a side elevation of the hind quarter of a
Barouche with the head (partly shown) up or closed, and to secure it in that or
any other desired position, I suspend from the pins or bolts, which connect the
forked or jaw end levers B with the hinge pieces or fulcrums C, ratchet rods X
having teeth or indents formed on their back edges, and their lower ends passing
through slots in the bottom flaps of the pillar or hoop stick hinges A², so as to
permit of the descent of the rods X when the head is being folded back.
At right
angles, or nearly so, with the edges of the rods X, and extending to the back part
of the body frame, are rods Y sliding horizontally in guides Z, and tapered at their
front ends, so as to engage with the teeth or indents of the rods X. The other or
back ends of the rods Y are connected with the short levers d made in the solid
with the roller bar e, which extends across the inside of the of back rail or body
frame. The roller bar e is held in position by two small plates, which are first
passed on to it, and then fastened by screws to the back rail. To the roller bar e is
attached the lever or handle f, which on being pushed backwards by hand causes
the short levers & simultaneously to impel the sliding rods Y, and throw their
tapered front ends into gear with the teeth or indents of the ratchet rods X, the
head thereby becoming firmly locked. Upon reversing the position of the lever or
handle, the sliding rods Y are simultaneously withdrawn from the said teeth or
indents, and the head is then free, and can be easily moved in any direction and to
any extent required. This arrangement for fixing the heads in different positions
is equally applicable to a Landau.

page_text: The action of lowering and raising the Landau head, constructed as before
described, is effected in the following manner :-The head when closed is secured by
the spring head lock P, assisted by the compressed springs H. The tension or
pressure of which is increased or diminished by turning the pipe E on the stem or
stud D, or by adjusting the nut I (or by regulating the number of washers between
the shoulder of lever B and pipe E, as the case may be), so as to give just sufficient
force to maintain the head in its closed form, and to counterbalance its weight when
being lowered.
When desired to open the head, the hook or lip c of the lever R to the lock P is
withdrawn from the slotted catch T by the knob or handle U, operated from the
interior of the carriage until the lever R is in the position shewn by the dotted
liues, when the head is at liberty to be opened or folded back; this is accomplished
by applying a gentle backward pressure to the cant rail M, or the top pillar A, or
its equivalent. The head then commences to turn on its axis at each pillar hinge A',
the forked or jaw end lever A revolving simultaneously (its course being shewn by
dotted lines, Fig. 1) drawing with it in its descent the adjustable rod or link K,
which communicates the same downward movement to the cant rail M, thus ex-
tending the latter with the pillar A (when at rest, that is to say, when lowered to
its fullest extent) in a horizontal line with the axis of the hinge A' the centres of
the adjustable fulcrum C of the forked lever B, and the adjustable joint or hinge
piece J into such relative positions as to render the compressed springs H
powerless to raise the head until the fulcrums C are slightly raised, when
the springs H immediateley commence to exert their upward influence and impel
the depressed head to gradually regain its closed form.
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 what I consider novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Patent is,
1. The application and use of the adjustable fulcrums C and adjustable joints or
hinge pieces J to the heads of Landau's, Barouche's, Victoria's, or other similar
carriages, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described, and illustrated
by the accompanying Drawings.
2. The application and use of the adjustable eyes or hinge pieces O, in combina-
tion with the adjustable rods or links K, to the head of Landau's or other similar
carriages, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described, and illustrated
by the accompanying Drawings.
3. The construction of the forked or jaw end levers B, in combination with the
adjustable rods or links K, substantially as herein-before described, and illustrated
by the accompanying Drawings.
4. The construction, application, and use of the spring head lock P to the heads of
Landau or other similar carriages, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before
described, and illustrated by Fig. 4 on the accompanying Drawing.
5. The combination and arrangement of the ratchet rods X, sliding rods Y, and
their appendages for locking the heads of Landau's, Barouche's, Victoria's, or other
similar carriages, substantially as herein-before described, and illustrated by the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Wood, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord 1878.