IMPROVEMENTS IN CAR- RIAGES FOR COMMON ROADS
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Eleazar Christmas, of Watford, in the County of
Hertford, Coach Builder, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CAR-
RIAGES FOR COMMON ROADS."
Sealed the 18th November 1863, and dated the 18th May 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Eleazar Christmas at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th May 1863.
I, ELEAZAR CHRISTMAS, of Watford, in the County of Hertford, Coacli-
Builder, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN CARRIAGES FOR COMMON ROADS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, 1st, in making the bottom side plates of. carriage
bodies of angle iron, and laying the ends of the bottom boards in the angle, so
as to form a level floor from side to side of the carriage.
2ndly, in fitting under the bottom boards, in a suitable recess, a platform,
folding or otherwise, to draw in and out at the sides of the carriage, so that
when drawn out to be level with the top of the bottom boards of the carriage
at the top, and to extend to the ground if desired; this platform is supported
when opened out by joints or rigid rods, connected to the standing and hinged
pillars of the carriage body, so as to form an ascent to be used in lieu of the
ordinary step; or when extending to the ground to form an incline, upon
which an invalid, or a garden chair with the invalid in it, can be wheeled or

page_text: pushed up into the carriage at the sides, either through the ordinary or an
enlarged doorway. The ordinary carriage seat is made removable, and the
garden or invalid chair takes its place. When the platform is not required,
an ordinary step can be attached to the under side of the angular iron bottom
side frames, as before described.
The above improvements I intend to be applied to carriages separately or
vioint
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Eleazar Christmas in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 18th November 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ELEAZAR
CHRISTMAS, of Watford, in the County of Hertford, Coach Builder, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty- in the -sixth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
'said Eleazar Christmas, Her special licence that I, the said Eleazar Christ-
mas, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Eleazar Christmas, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARRIAGES FOR COMMON ROADS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Eleazar Christmas, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Eleazar Christmas, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to carriages intended for common roads, and has for

page_text: its object; first, improvements in the form and construction of certain parts
thereof, which parts are generally known or distinguished as the bottom side
frames" and bottom sides of carriage bodies.
Secondly, improvements in the form and construction of certain parts of
carriages more particularly designed for invalids, which parts consist of
platforms, inclines, steps, and the like.
or
And, thirdly, in the modes of fitting and actuating the said improved parts.
In carrying out my first-mentioned improvements, I make the bottom side
frames and "bottom sides" of angle iron in single and riveted double form or iron
flanged by forging or rivetting, and formed so as to receive and support the
bottom boards and frame, and thereby to dispense entirely with the usual
timber or timber and plated bottom side or bottom side frame, especially in
the doorways. By this improved mode of construction obtain a level floor
throughout, between the two doorways of the carriages, where there is usually
a riser, over which the feet have to be raised or lifted by any one entering
leaving the carriage. This riser not only impedes egress and regress, but
diminishes the wrath of the level floor, whereas by the improved form herein
described the full width of the floor between the doors is preserved and kept
level for the feet. In forming the improved iron side frame for the con-
struction of an ordinary carriage, I cause it to take the shape of the carriage
bottom, and make it to fit flatways to the carriage side, and to extend along
on each side of the doorway pillars, as well as under the door, and return at
the angles along the back and front as far as it may be desired. And in order
to give additional strength to these bottom sides in the doorways and wherelse
required, I rivet or bolt a second angle plate or rib under, to, or upon the first,
either flange to flange or otherwise, so as to act as a trussed rib. I also carry.
up from the same two upright arm plates or supports for the standing and.
hinging door pillars; these "bottom side frames" and pillar supports form one
integral bottom side plate or frame of metal, which I also intend to be used at
the backs of carriages such as omnibusses, waggonetts, and the like: This
improvod frame is pierced for screws, and screwed, bolted, or otherwise fastened
to the pillars, bottom, or other parts, binding the same together, and giving
additional strength to the carriage.
In adapting or forming the said improved metal side plate or frame for the
construction of carriages intended for invalids, I carry the flat ribs and angular
frames below the flanged floor plate before mentioned, and form a second
bottom rib under the first, between which upper and lower flanged plates
I form a recess for receiving a folding or other platform, steps, or the like.
The bottom of the recess is also boarded with thin boards, the ends of which

page_text: are supported in and fixed to the flanges of the lower rib; the opening or end
of this recess is closed by a flap at the bottom part of the door or otherwise,
and when so closed presents the appearance of a common "rocker." In order
to keep the platform clear of the recess floor, a cross roller is fitted near the
mouth of the opening upon which the platform rides as it passes in and out of
the recess.
In carrying out the second part of my Invention, I construct a carriage
with a recessed bottom side frame and recess, as above described, and make
the seat or seats in the body to fold up, or so that they can be removed and
replaced when required. Under the recess I fit a folding step, the use or
purpose, construction, and action of which are herein-after explained. In the
recess itself I fit a folding or sliding platform, which platform when opened
out for use, and supported by suspension rods or folding feet (the whole being
partially or entirely removable from the carriages at pleasure), is intended to
form an incline plans from the ground to the floor of the carriage at the side,
and upon which incline an invalid in a suitably formed seat or rest, as for
instance, in an invalid garden chair, can be wheeled or moved bodily there-
with to and from the interior of the carriage through the side doorway, or
throng a side doorway of slightly increased dimensions, so that a carriage so
constructed, while peculiarly adapted for the use of an invalid, shall be equally
applicable for all the purposes of those in general use, and when the moveable
seats are replaced and the platform removed or folded and shut into the recess,
shall also present a similar appearance to carriages designed and constructed
in the ordinary way.
The folding steps, which also forms one of my improvements, I intend to be
used when the platform is removed or closed and not required. This step is
fitted to the improved side plate or frame, and made so that it can be lowered
and raised by opening and closing the door. In the improved invalid carriages
I propose to so fit these improved steps that when the platform is in use (and
consequently the steps are not required) the mooring parts can be disconnected
from the door, and the steps remain in their closed or folded up condition, and
in which condition the step and supports are parallel with and close to the
under side of the carriage or recess bottom, or nearly so.
The mode or modes in which I propose to carry out the third part of my
said Invention, namely, that which relates to the mechanism which I propose
to fit and employ for actuating the improved platform steps and other parts of
my carriage improvements, together with the general forms of the improved
bottom side plates and frames, and also the mode of applying the same in
practice, I have caused to be delineated or illustrated upon the Drawings

page_text: roceed more particularly to descrive
EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 represents the side elevation of a carriage formed with my
mproved bottom side plate, frame, invalid, folding, and closing platform, and
recess and folding step; Figure 2 is a transverse section through the centre
of the carriage in the line of the doors, shewing the improved platform as
closed; Figure 3, the same section with the improved platform opened out
for use, and also shews the same as in use; Figure 4 shews a plan of the
improved platform detached; and Figures 4A and 4B, enlargements;
Figures 5, 6, and 7, shew the forms of the suspension rods, and the mode of
fitting and actuating the same. In the foregoing Figures the same letters of
reference are repeated in each illustration where the same parts of the im-
provements are shewn in and from different positions, so that the following
a, the
reference applies to each Figure where the index letter occurs.
recess; b, the carriage floor; c, the recess floor; 1, 2, 3, the folded platform,
shewn in sections as closed in its place at Figure 2, and as opened out and in
use at Figure 8; 4, the main suspension rod; 5 and 6, the folder bars; theso
are also shewn on a larger scale at Figures 5 and 5, and then opening and
The main
closing action explained under the reference to Figure 7.
suspension rod 4", and main folder bar 5" (Figures 5 and 6) are made with
curved ends, in order to allow the platform to run fully home in the recess
when the side of the carriage are not parallel, and when it is requisite that
1° is a small
the end of one of the bars should advance before the other.
cross roller, over and upon which the folded platform travels; 7 is a lever and
handle, by which the platform is opened out from and closed back int the
recess. In or to the rebaits of the standing and hinged door pillars a slotted
metal bearer 8 is fitted or formed; 9 is a strong collared pin, fitted to the top
of the main suspension bar, and which pin works up and down in the slot 10
At the two
as the platform is opened and closed by the action of the lever 7.
sides of the main folder board of the platform, at the inner end, are also fixel
strong collared roller pins (see Figure 4B), which run in grooves 11, 11",
formed in the sides of the recess; these grooves take the curved line 11" near
the opening at the doorway, and as the collared pins are guided thereby, when
the end of the main folder board is drawn nearly out, and the main suspension
rod pin has traversed the slot until it rests at the point 9", the lever still being
pulled forward causes the end of the platform to rise until its end is level with
the bottom of the carriage. The pins then slip into a slightly sunk seat (see

page_text: 11, Figure 4A) or pass a spring bolt, by which the end of the said platform
is held secure in the required position. The lever 7 is hinged to the point 12,
and carries a sliding collar at 12", so that the pin at the joint may slide
thereon as the main suspension bar descends. The platform is drawn forward
in its folded state until clear of the recess, and then the folders opened back,
and the latter one again folded before the platform is operated by the lever
when running it into the recess. In order to give additional strength to this
platform, the sides are finished with flanged metal, and small flanged ribs,
one also fixed upon the track way 17, 17, which serve the double purpose of
acting as guide rails for the invalid chair wheels, and at the same time give
additional strength to the platform.) This platform is also, when required,
fitted with folding foot supports, as shewn at 13, 13, and in certain cases these
only may be used, and the suspension rod dispensed with, as, for instance,
when the incline is only required to be used without the chair, or in lieu of
the steps. Where, however, the patient is heavy, and more strength of
platform is required, both the suspension rods and supporting feet may be
used. And in order to facilitate the ascent and descent to and from the
carriage in the latter case, I also fit the winding gear shewn at Figure 4.
16 is a wire rope, one end of which is fitted with a spring hook, and the other
attached to a drum or pulley 19, fixed at the back of the carriage, and turned
by the handle 20 on the outside; this cord passing round the fixed pullies 17"
and 18, and the hook being attached to the part of the chair at. 21, upon
winding the cord the invalid chair is caused to ascend the incline, and drawn
wholly within the carriage, when all that is required is to turn the chair a
quarter round. The same apparatus (reversing the operation) is also applicable
for lowering the chair from the carriage to the ground. In some cases the
end folder board 1 may be dispensed with, and a "hall incline" used instead,
but by the addition of this extra folder an invalid is enabled to use the incline
for visiting and all other purposes, as it affords the facility complete in itself
for moving to and from the carriage bodily, seat and all, wherever required.
Figures 8 to 13, inclusive, the general form and mode of fitting the improved
bottom side plate frane as adapted for ordinary carriages; and Figure 14
shews the general form thereof for the improved invalid carriage. I may
here observe that by the introduction of a frame of this form the improved
platform can be added to almost any kind of carriage already in use, and that
the said improved metal frames, in whole or in part, as well as the steps and
other improvements, can be also applied to existing carriages. Figure 8 shews
an inside elevation of the bottom side plate; and Figure 9 a section at a, b,
and Figure 10 the mode of fitting the same to the side and bottom framing

page_text: and door pillars; Figures 11, 12, and 13 shew respectively elevation, section,
and plan of an improved metal bottom side frame, adapted to carriages formed
with rocker bottoms; and Figure 14, an inside elevation of an improved
metal frame. a, a, shews the angular flange for supporting the floor boards;
b, b, the vertical rib of the metal frame; c, c, the side continuations of flat
vertical rib along the angle of the bottom side of the carriage. This con-
tinuation may also be flanged, if necessary. d, d, the upright pillar, metal
arms, or supports; 1, 1, holes pierced in the flange for receiving the step
bolts; (e, e, Figure 14,) the flat metal ribs, as carried down to form and
support the recess and platform for the invalid carriage; f, the second bottom
flange, which carries the recess bottom; g, the strengthening flange ribs.
I should here state that I prefer this mode of forming the bottom plate frame
in the doorway to forging the said flanged plate solid with a double web or
vertical rib above and below the horizontal flange, as the rivetted lamina or
flauge give greater strength.
be.
Figures 15 to 20, inclusive, are intended to shew the mode of constructing,
fitting, and actuating the folding step, which I propose to use in place of the
platform when the latter is not required, and which improvement in carriage
steps I also intend to be applied to carriages generally. This step is raised
-and lowered by the opening and closing of the door and for that purpose is
fitted to a folding skeleton frame, the non-moving parts of which are securely
bolted to the metal frame plate or to the bottom of an ordinary carriage, as
the case may
a is the step, which is hinged upon a self-opening spring
hinged at c, c, at the bottom of the two main supports b, b, which are also
hinged at c, c. In or upon these supports are fitted or fixed the two small
pullies f, f, and the angle supports d, d. From these angle supports at the
point d, passing over the pullies f, and attached to the step at 11, are two
small leather covered or other chains or cords e, e; these chains support the
steps when let down, and also serve to raise and close it by the motion of the
door, as herein-after explained. The top of the angle supports d, d, are
connected at g to the running bolts h, h, which are formed as shewn at
Figures 18, 19, and 20, and run or work in suitable sockets bolted to the
under side of the carrigge; these bolts are connected together by the cross
bar ', to one side of which a strong draw spring i is fitted, and to the other
side the running pulley cord or chain j is fixed; this chain or cord is passed
round the fixed pullies w and b, and also round a third pulley in the end of the
radial limb m, and the end to the carriage bottom; the radial limb m is
bolted firmly to the bottom of the door; this radial limb serves also as a stop

page_text: when fitted with a spring bolt to hold the door open during egress and regress
to and from the carriage. The action of the door upon the step mechanism is
as follows:-When the door is being opened the radial limb, which when the
door is closed carries with it a double length of cord, as shewn by the dotted
lines, now releases this cord, and allows it to run by the power and pull of the
draw spring i, which draws the bolts h, h, forward; these push down the main
and angular step supports of the step, which then opens to or level position by
the action of the spring hinge a, c. Now in order to hold the step form in this
position, and to prevent it from running back when the weight of the foot
comes upon it, a small lower bolt n is fitted at the side; and this bolt is shot
into a hole in the hanging vertical main frame, and holds it in that position
when the door is open by a slight projection or on the end of the radial limb.
This bolt is also a spring bolt, and receives its normal position upon the door
being moved in closing. Upon closing the door the running chain is tightened
round the pulleys 7 and k, and a double length carried by the limb, which thus
draws back the bolts h, h; these bolts in turn raise and fold the skeleton
frame and step, and cause it to lay level and parallel, and close to the under
side of the carriage, and in which position it can be secured by a button or
other contrivance when not in use, and the platform is taking its place. The
radial limb may also be toothed on to the edge, and the pulley be fitted with
a multiplying pinion, and thus operates the step. In this case I dispense with
the draw spring i, and join the two ends of the running cord or chain to the
cross bar h, and press it round the additional pulley v.
Having thus explained the nature and object of my Invention, and describe
the modes of carrying the several improvements into effect, and described and
illustrated the means which I propose to employ for that purpose, to the best
of my ability, I hereby further declare that I do not restrict myself absolutely
to the precise forms and relative sizes of the various parts, nor to the exact
modes of fitting and actuating the same as shewn upon the Drawing, as it will
be obvious that many modifications may be made therein in practice, while in
principle such modifications will be identical with that herein described, and
that which I more particularly claim is,―
First, the use and application of a bottom side plate formed of flanged or
angle iron, as herein described, and the substitution thereof, especially in the
doorways, for the timber and timber and plated bottom sides and framing, as
at present used.
Secondly, the inside door suspended and supported, platform and recess,
construction of carriage for invalids, as herein described.

page_text: And, thirdly, the lever and other mechanism for raising and lowering the
platform, and actuating the other improved parts, as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Eleazar Christmas, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of November, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
ELEAZAR CHRISTMAS. (L.S.)