CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THAT DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLES CALLED CABS
Year: 1836

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
STEDMAN GILLETT, of Guildford Street, Gentleman, and JOHN CHAPMAN, of
Paddington, Mechanist, both in the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS His late most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Twenty-first day of December, in the seventh year of His
reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said William Stedman Gillett and John Chapman, His especial license,
full power, sole privilege and authority, that we, the said William Stedman
Gillett and John Chapman, our exors, admors, an assigns, or such others as
we, the said William Stedman Gillett and John Chapman, our exors, adiñors,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, .our Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THAT
DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLES CALLED CABS;" in which said Letters Patent is con-
tained a proviso that we, the said William Stedman Gillett and John Chap-
man, shall cause a particular description of the nature of our said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in His said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in
and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
William Stedman Gillett and John Chapman, do hereby declare the nature
of our Invention, and the manner in which same is to be performed, are
fully described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures
and letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
Our Invention relates,-
First, to the application of a driving seat or box (or such like convenient
support for the driver) to the back of such description of two-wheeled one.horse
vehicles as are so constructed that the passengers enter in front, and suitable
for cabs..
Secondly, in a mode of applying and working of a window or blind to cabs.
Thirdly, in the mode of applying a safety frame to cabs.
Fourthly, a mode of applying the springs of two-wheeled one-horse vehicles
used as cabs.
Fifthly, in a mode of applying a suitable instrument to cabs, to ascertain the
distance at any time gone by the cab, whereby the same may be indicated to
the passenger and to the owner of the vehicle, and thus produce a check on
the driver.
And in order that our Invention may be most fully understood, and readily
carried into effect, we will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 represents the side view of a cab having parts of our improvements
applied thereto.. Figure 2, a back view. Figure 3 is a plan partly in
section. Figure 4 is a section of part of the body of the vehicle; and
Figure 5 shews part of a front view. In each of these Figures the said
letters of reference indicate similar parts; a, a, being an ordinary cranked
axle; b, b, wheels, which from the arrangement of the various parts we are
enabled to have of large dimensions, as is shewn. c, c, the two side springs
which are affixed to the axle, and connected to the iron standards d, which
are affixed to the body of the vehicle and to the under or what we call the
safety frame e, it offering a support in the event of a wheel coming off, or of a
horse falling or rearing, as will readily be understood on inspecting the
Drawing such framing also carries the shafts, and also a platform for the
passengers to, step on, in entering the vehicle; and it will be seen that this
safety frame, is (together with the shafts and body of the vehicle and driver's
seat) carried by the springs. f,f, are two doors, which we prefer should
respectively open towards the wheels, thus offering protection to the passenger

page_text: in the act of entering, and prevent the dirt or mud on the wheels being
touched by the clothes or dress; and there should be suitable straps to prevent
the doors opening too wide, as is well understood by carriage builders.
9 is a projecting piece of timber or framing affixed to the under part of the
body of the vehicle, to which the spring his affixed, as is clearly shewn in the
Drawing. is a small box on which the driver's feet are placed either in
sitting or standing, into which may be stowed a feed of corn or hay. j is the
driver's seat. k, k, are hooks, on which he can place his reins; and b is a
support at the front for the reins. And it should be stated that in making
or constructing such a vehicle, care should be observed that the weight on the
horse should be as little as possible, and for this purpose that the carriage
should be as nearly as possible in a state of balance on the axle when the
driver is in his seat; hence when passengers are in the vehicle, they sitting
directly over the axle, will not materially alter the balance, hence the horse
will not have to bear much weight on his back, which is important in such
vehicles as cabs, which are required to go at considerable speed. 1, l', are
steps for the driver to his seat. By this application of means of driving from
behind, the front of the cab is left open, and the view from within is
uninterrupted; in addition to which passengers may enter and leave the cabs
with greater facility than when the driver's box was at the top, and the
feet of the driver descending in front of the passengers, which is a construction
of carriage now in general use. m is an opening in the head or upper part of
the body of the vehicles, there being a door or cover, by which means the
driver can conveniently communicate with the passengers, or the passengers
with the drivers. We would remark, that although we have shewn an
arrangement of axle, wheels, springs, shafts, and body of a carriage, and such
an one as we consider the most suitable for the purposes of a cab, at the same
time we do not confine our Invention to the use of such combination, as
variations may be made, neither do we claim the same when uncombined with
parts constituting our Invention. n, o, are two glazed frames or windows, the
upper one n moving on suitable axes at each side of the body of the vehicle,
as is clearly shewn; on one end there is affixed a cranked handle, by which
the driver can from without give motion to the glazed frames n, o, to open or
close it. The frames n, o, are hinged together, as is shewn in the Drawing,
they are therefore capable of folding up. p is a curved inclined plane, one on
each side of the body of the carriage, against which the projection q of the
frame o rests when down, and in the operation of folding the frames the
projections 9 slide along the curved inclined planes till such time as the
arms r, which are affixed to the frame o, come in contact with the curved-

page_text: surfaces 8, fixed at the top of the carriage, but on the inside. By this means,
when the handle is moved in the direction of the arrow, the frames n, o, will
fold up within the carriage, and will be retained in such position by the stud t
on the crank, being held by the spring catch v, or by any other suitable catch,
and the passenger will also be able to open or close the frames n, o, from
within, as the catch, although suitable to hold the crank handle from moving,
will readily give way when the hand, is applied to the frame o by the passenger
within, or to the crank handle by the driver from without. In combining the
safety frame and mode of entrance in front for passengers suspended on
springs in combination with the body of the carriage, having the driver's sent
on the top and at the front of the vehicle, in contradistinction to the mode
of applying such frame to the axle as now employed, and only suspending the
body of the carriage of springs, with the driver's seat on the top and in front
thereof, it will be desirable to have the carriage in a state of balance on its
axle, as is described when the driver is behind; in order to accomplish this
object, the cranked axle is to be so formed that the springs may be horizontal,
and the cranked axle stand off at an angle, as is shewn in the Drawing; and
in whatever way the axle is arranged, whether vertically, as when driving from
behind, or at an angle when driving from a seat in front, and at or near the
top of the vehicle, the springs are to be so arranged that the side springs
and back springs are above the passenger's seat, as is shewn in the Drawing,
by which ease and comfort will be obtained to the passenger; and such mode
of placing the three springs forms one feature of novelty in cabs.
We will now describe the fifth part of our Invention, which, as before
stated, relates to a mode of applying an instrument to cabs for measuring the
distance passed over. Figure 6 shews a back view of part of a cab axle, and
the nave of a wheel, to which are applied part of the apparatus for giving
motion to a series or train of wheels on the movements of the wheels of the
cab along the road. Figure 7 is a plan of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a section
of the axle and parts of the apparatus. Figure 9 is a section of the seat on
which passengers sit, the instrument for measuring distance being under the
same. Figure 10 is a section of the passenger's seat, looking from behind.
Figure 11, plan of the instrument for measuring; its position under the
seat of the passenger is more clearly seen in Figure 7. Figure 12 shews the
graduated face of the instrument, on which is indicated the distance gone; the
whole of this instrument is placed under the passenger's seat, and is to be
inclosed, that the driver cannot interfere with the apparatus.
This apparatus consists of a train of wheels as is well understood, and is
clearly represented in the Drawing, and form no part of our Invention, which

page_text: relates only to the mode of actuating the same by the motion or travelling
of the cab, notwithstanding the varying distances at which the body of the
vehicle, and consequently the seat of the passenger, may be in respect to the
axle of the wheels of the cabs, owing to the play on the springs. On the
nave of one of the wheels is affixed an eccentric A, which also constitutes one
of the hoops of that nave. B, B, are brackets which are affixed to the
axle and side spring of the vehicle. C. is a sliding bar which is bent at the
two ends so as at all times to touch and be worked by the eccentric A, and
the bar is further bent in order to be out of the way of the cranked axle of
the vehicle. It will readily be seen that in the revolution of the wheel of
the cab the bar C will be slided to and fro, and by the means hereafter
described such motion is communicated to the train of wheels for measuring
the distance gone by the cab. D is a lever moving on a fulcrum at D¹. This
lever is forked at its end, as is shewn at Figure 7, and embraces the curved
plate E affixed to the bar C, such plate being curved in order to allow for
the lengthening of the spring when pressed down. F is a spring which at all
times presses the lever D to its work. At the other end of the lever
is attached by a pin joint the connecting rod G, which at the other end is
attached by a pin joint to the arm on the axis or spindle H, moving in
suitable bearings. I is another arm affixed to the spindle H, and on the end
of such arm I is formed the plate J, which is formed into an inclined plane and
the arc of a circle (by which means, notwithstanding the varying distances of the
axle and the instrument for measuring, the parts will work correctly), which,
acting under the cranked end of the driver K, moves the ratchet wheel L, of
sixty teeth, one tooth for each revolution of the wheel on the road, the cab
wheels being five feet in diameter, on the axis of which ratchet wheel is
affixed a pinion of twenty teeth, which takes into and drives the wheel M, of
fifty-six teeth. On the axle of the wheel M is affixed the screw N, which
takes into and drives the wheel O, of ninety teeth, and on to the axis of the
wheel O is affixed the hand of the dial or graduated face, which is graduated
to measure forty-five miles. The bearing and mode of fixing of the same being
clearly shown in the Drawing, no further description will be necessary.
In case it be desired to have a dial to be seen by the passenger, we apply the
following additional apparatus:-On the axle of the wheel M is affixed a
cam P, which in its revolution actuates the lever Q, moving on a fulcrum at
Q, and to the other end of the lever Q is attached by pin joint the
connecting rod R, which will require to be bent, in order to lie within a tube
at the back of the carriage, and under the lining thereof; this rod R, at
the other end, is attached to the axle of a double lever driver S, by means of
#

page_text: an arm which is affixed to and projects from such axle of the lever driver, the
axle moving in suitable bearings, as is clearly shown in the Drawing; hence
the up and down movement communicated by the rod R will cause the lever
drivers S to move and alternately act on the teeth of the wheel T, which is on the
axle V, and W is a ratchet wheel affixed to the wheel T, and moves therewith;
there being clicks or catches X will prevent the ratchet wheel moving in more
than one direction; these clicks or catches are affixed to the axis V, and are
capable of moving therewith (such motion being obtained by the friction of the
wheels T, W, against the wheel carrying the clicks), whilst the wheels T, W,
can move independent of the axle, they being actuated by the progress of the
vehicle. Y is a dial or face within view of the passenger, but to be enclosed
in a glazed frame so as not to be touched. The dial or face Y is affixed to
the axle D, and can be moved therewith, but in such movement the wheels T
and W are retained by the lever driver, and at the same time the face or dial
Y can only be turned back in order when a passenger gets in to set the
pointer at zero, the clicks or catches and the lever drivers preventing the dial
being turned forward; hence the passenger cannot be cheated by the driver
as to the distance gone. Z is a face or dial towards the driver, there being a
handle and pointer affixed to the axle V for the driver to set the dials at zero
at starting with a passenger, and there is a stop shown in the Drawing to
prevent the driver forcing the dials back beyond zero. The dials, it will be
seen, are graduated for ten miles. It will be evident that where the cab
wheels are of large or less diameter, allowance must be made in the train of
wheels to measure the distance gone by the horse; and we would remark, that
variations may be made in the arrangement of the parts without departing
from our Invention, which relates to the mode of combining the parts which
actuate the train of wheels correctly notwithstanding the varying distances
between the axle and the position in which the measuring instrument is
placed.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, we would have it under-
stood that we do not claim any of the parts separately nor combined other than
is herein particularly described and claimed as of our Invention; and we do
claim,―
First, the application of a driving seat or box (or such like convenient
support for the driver) to the back of such description of two-wheeled one-
horse vehicles as are so constructed that the passengers enter in front, and
suitable for cabs as above described.
Secondly, we claim the mode of applying and working of a window or
blind to cabs from the outside, as above described.

page_text: Thirdly, the applying a safety frame and platform (by which the passengers
enter in front) on springs when the driver's seat is placed either at the back
or on the top, and in front, as above described. But we do not claim the
application of such safety frame and platform when not placed together with
the body of the vehicle on springs; neither do we claim the application of
the platform by which the passengers enter in front when on springs when
driven from a seat at the side has as been done in a cab before.
Fourthly, the mode of applying the side and back springs of cabs, where-
by the passenger's seat is below the position of the springs, as above
described.
Fifthly, the mode of communicating the motion of the whole of a cab to a
suitable train of wheelwork for measuring the distance gone, as above
described.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Stedman Gillett and John
Chapman, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-first
day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and thirty-seven.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-first day of June, in
the year of our Lord 1887, the aforesaid William Stedman Gillett and John
Chapman, came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknow-
ledged the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained
and specified in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid
was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Twenty-first day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven.