Improvements in ram-proof pa
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Oct., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 10th July, 1895-Accepted, 10th Aug., 1895
Improvements in ram-proof pa
CHARLES CHALLENGER, Somerset House, Eastville, Bristol, Tramways
Manager, and WILLIAM STRONG, of 1 Rudgway Parade, Upper Eastville,
Bristol, Coach Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention is designed to form an automatic rainproof seat for use on
tramway cars, omnibuses, pleasure boats, and in parks and other places where seats
are exposed to the weather.
The seat is preferably divided into sections each section to accommodate one
person and each of such sections is divided into two divisions, one of these divisions
being a fixture and the other division being loose and made to work or move on
hinges rods or pivots. This loose division or part is made to turn over automatically
and to cover securely the fixed part or division, thus completely protecting the
whole seat from rain and snow, etc.
The automatic action is obtained by means of a weighted addition attached to
the movable portion of the seat, this additional portion occupying a position
underneath the seat.
The position of the seats when unoccupied is as above described, namely, the
loose or movable part turned over face downwards upon and completely covering
the uppermost part of the fixed portion, therefore when a person wishes to occupy
the seat the movable portion must be first turned down into position to form a
complete seat. Immediately the seat is vacated the movable portion again turns
over by automatic meaus, face downwards, and covers the fixed portion.
It is not absolutely necessary before the seat can be used to first of all turn
down the movable portion, and if a stranger or person in the dark should sit down
without first turning over the movable part no inconvenience would result. But
with a view to make the seat of the greatest utility and give as little trouble as
possible to the users in fine weather each section of the seat is provided with ineans
for bolting the movable portion down ready for use without requiring any
manipulation from the. occupier. This is an advantage with regard to tramway
cars and omnibuses where the conductor or driver is close at hand at all times to
withdraw the bolt for the purpose of releasing the movable portion in stormy or
wet weather. As immediately the bolt, or other means of fastening, is withdrawn
the sent at once closes automatically as before described.
Existing seats known as "garden seats
converted into automatic rainproof seats.
Dated this 20th day of October 1894.
"
can be easily and inexpensively
C. CHALLENGER.
WM. STRONG.

page_text: improvements in fam-protams.
CHARLES CHALLENGER, Somerset House, Eastville, Bristol, Tramways
Manager, WILLIAM STRONG 1 Rudgway Parade, Fishponds Road, Eastville,
Bristol, Coach Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:
This invention is designed to form an automatic rainproof seat for use on
tramway cars, omnibuses, pleasure boats, and in parks and other places where seats
'are exposed to the weather.
1
The seat is preferably divided into sections to accommodate one person and each
of such section is divided into two nearly equal parts, one of these parts being a
fixture and the other part being made to work or move on hinges or rods or pivots.
This last-named movable part is made to turn over automatically and to cover
securely the other part, thus completely protecting the seat from rain and
snow, etc.
[
The automatic action of the seat is obtained by means of a weighted addition
attached to a movable portion, this movable portion occupying a position
underneath the seat.
The position of the seat in fine weather whether occupied or unoccupied is as
above described, namely, the uppermost movable part turned over face downwards
resting upon and completely covering the other part of the seat, thus forming in
this, its norinal position, a firm and comfortable seat. Therefore the seat in fine
weather is always ready for occupation and needs no manipulation.
-
When a person, in wet weather, wishes to occupy a seat and to secure a dry seat,
the uppermost movable part must first be turned over, and this action as seen by
the drawings, secures a level and dry seat. Immediately the seat is vacated the
movable portion again türns over, by automatic means, and assumes its normal
position.
66
"
Existing tramway car and omnibus seats, known as garden seats, can be
readily converted into automatic rainproof seats.
In order that our invention may be clearly understood and carried into practice
we have appended hereunto one sheet of drawings upon which we have fully
illustrated the application of our said improvements to the ordinary "garden" seat
as used on 'many tramway cars and omnibuses and from which drawings their
application to other seats will be readily understood.
Figures 1 and 3 shew the face of a "garden" seat for two passengers converted
into an automatic rainproof seat; and Figures 2 and 4 show an end view of the
same seat thus converted:
"
At A, Figures 1 and 2, is shown the reversible part, or cover, of seat covering
part D. When raining a passenger before sitting down turns over the part A on
to part B, when this action brings up the movable part C; Figure 2, and C lifts
up D slightly, thus securing a dry and level seat as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
Immediately the seat, Figures 3 and 4; is vacated the part C, being slightly
weighted at the lower edge to give it an automatic effect, assumes a vertical
position, and this movement brings portion A back over D to its normal
position, and the parts remain in this position, keeping the seat dry to be used by
succeeding passengers.
Parts A and C are made to move in unison by means of knuckle strap-joints
shown at E. When in action these strap-joints turn on pivots F, and pivots F
work in angle-plates H. The part of seat marked D is allowed, by means of
pivots K, a little upward movement, when the part marked C is brought up
against it.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
An improved automatic rainproof seat substantially as herein set forth and a
shown illustrated upon the annexed drawings.
TI
1005
C. CHALLENGER.
WM. STRONG.