IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MODE OF CONVEYING LETTERS, LETTER BAGS, AND OTHER LIGHT PARCELS AND ARTICLES
Year: 1852

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ARMAND
JEAN BAPTISTE LOUIS MARCESCIEAU, of Rue de Moscou, Paris, France,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-fourth
day of April, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the fifteenth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Armand Jean Baptiste Louis Marcescheau, my exors,
admors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said Armand Jean Baptiste Louis Marcescheau, my
exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Armand Jean
Baptiste Louis Marcescheau, my exors, admors, 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,
in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Her
said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MODE OF CONVEYING LETTERS, LETTER BAGS, AND OTHER LIGHT
PARCELS AND ARTICLES;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso
that I, the said Armand Jean Baptiste Louis Marcescheau, shall cause a

page_text: particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Armand Jean Baptiste Louis Marcescheau, do hereby declare that the nature
of my Invention, and in what manner the 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, in which the same letters of
reference indicate similar parts, that is to say:-
My Invention consists in the employment of mechanical apparatus by
means of which a vehicle purposely constructed for the said apparatus can be
made to travel alone and without a conductor, fulfilling in the meantime the
following conditions, videlicit :-
Firstly, the vehicle can be made to travel without stopping from one point
to another point of a continent whatever may be the distance separating these
points, the mode of constructing the apparatus and vehicle allowing at the same
time the vehicle to alter its direction either laterally or in elevation when it is
impossible or too expensive to maintain a straight horizontal line all the way.
Secondly, the speed of the vehicle can attain and exceed two hundred miles
an hour.
Thirdly, these rapid modes of communication can be employed in all useful
directions without obstructing the regular traffic in those places over which
the vehicles may run.
Fourthly, the vehicle can leave parcels at intermediate stations between its
point of starting and that of its arrival without stopping or lessening its speed.
Fifthly, the apparatus affords the facility of sending vehicles from inter-
mediate points, or making them stop there.
In Drawing 1, Figures 1 and 3 represent vertical projections of the system
of conveyance. Figures 2 and 4, Drawing 1, represent horizontal projections
of the same. Figure 5 is a transverse section of the vehicle w and an
elevation of the wheel b. Figure 6 is another transverse section of the
Figures 7 and 8 show two of the
vehicle wand an elevation of the pullies c.
several movers which can be employed. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Drawing II.,
represent the mechanism for changing the direction of the vehicle. Figure 7,
mechanism for distributing parcels and letter bags. Figure 8, mechanism for
starting vehicles from intermediate points.

page_text: MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION.
General features of the Apparatus. My apparatus consists of a row
of wheels or pulleys 6, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Drawing 1, having the
upper part of their periphery placed on a horizontal and straight line.
These wheels or pulleys form a non-intermittent row between the two
extreme points; they are each of them set upon a horizontal axis rotating
upon bearers.
The axis of each wheel carries besides two pulleys a,
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8, Drawing 1, around which the endless rope,
serving to put them in motion, makes one or two coils, when the vehicle w
of the same Figures, and serving for conveyance of the load, is set flat over
the cylindrical surface of the felloes of the pullies 6 between their two outer
circumferences or rims. This rope is set in motion by the drum B, Figures
7 and 8, around which it performs the requisite number of coils. The drum
B is set in motion by and gives the movement to any machinery, so arranged
as to multiply the speed, and receives its motion from any adequate motive
power.
When the distance between two extreme points excoeds the length
to which it is either convenient or possible to attain with the same rope, the
setting the pullies in motion is performed by any convenient number of endless
ropes, each of them being put in motion at the required moment by distinct
machinery, and by the distinct moving power in connection with the said
machinery. The first mover can start from its resting place at the same time
as the vehicle w, which, if it is sufficiently heavy, follows the movement of
the circumferences of the pulleys on which it is placed, but each of the other
movers must set off at the proper moment, in order that the vehicle w when
reaching a new row of pullies b may find them rotating with a sufficient
speed, that is to say, a speed which must be in general as rapid as that of
the vehicle w.itself. It is easy to understand, therefore, that the vehicle w is
enabled to continue its course when passing over from a row of pullies b, set
in motion by one rope to anothor row of pullies driven by the next rope.
The total space run over by the vehicle w is equal to the amount of the
circumferences described by the periphery of the wheels 6 during the passage
of the vehicle over each of them; and as many axes work a long while
whilst making about one thousand four hundred and more rotations per
minute, a speed which can even be surpassed, it is evident that the circum-
ference of a pulley having thirteen feet being fixed to these axes will run
over in one hour a space which corresponds to two hundred and six miles per
hour at the least. And as the pulleys put in motion by the same rope work
during only a few minutes, the above-stated velocity can still more casily be

page_text: given to the wheels of the apparatus. The bearers on which the axes of the
pulleys rotate are supported by masonry or any other convenient works
raised sufficiently above the ground, in order that the vehicles and ropes may
be made to move according to the requirements of the traffic, unless the
vehicles should be made to pass under bridges,, viaducts, &c. But at the
same time these works must leave a free passage for carriages crossing their
direction, and for the requirements of river or canal navigation. These
considerations have induced me to restrict the usefulness of my system to the
conveyance of letters, letter bags, and other light articles or parcels, on
account of the expense attending such constructions and mechanical arrange-
ments, if they were subservient to the traffic of heavy loads. Whenever the
vehicle w or the moving power is to stop, it is necessary that the communica-
tion of this mover with the drum B be interrupted by disconnecting. The
row of pullies b and c placed at each extremity of a line being long enough,
the vehicle will be able to stop before reaching the end of that row, and this
means will be facilitated by proper arrangements for increasing gradually the
resistance arising from the friction of the pullies. The vehicle w, Figures
3, 4, 5, 6, and 8, Drawing 1, is constructed of a form fulfilling the essential
conditions. When it has to run over a straight and horizontal line, it consists
of a very long, low, and narrow box carried on a keel, the elevation of which
is calculated according to the distance between two consecutive points of
support, in order that the load should always be supported at least by two
points. The two sleepers parallel to the keel are supported by the ledges
fixed to the keel, and their parallelism is kept up by means of iron cross
pieces which link each of them to the keel. The external lower edge of
these sleepers bears upon the same circle of conical felloes, on which the ridge
of the box is set. That frame and the box are made sharp at their end in
order to diminish the resistance of the atmosphere. From what I have
herein-before described, the inspection of Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8,
Drawing I., will be sufficient to give a general idea of the system of my
Invention.
I will now describe, besides the accessory arrangements, firstly, the means I
have employed when the direction is altered; secondly, those employed when
vehicles are starting or arriving from or at the intermediate parts of a line;
and lastly, those serving for the distribution of the parcels which are to be left
at the intermediate stations.

page_text: inclined in such a manner that the keel of the vehicle w touches them only at
a point possessing the same velocity as the circumference of the pulley b.
The horizontal axis on which the wheel b rotates, as herein-before described,
carries at each of its ends a pulley a, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8, which is
surrounded by the endless rope. That axis rotates on chairs set between the
wheel b and the pulley a. The space between the two wheels 6 on each side
of the way is occupied by a pulley c, Figures 8, 4, and 8, placed on a vertical
axis rotating in a socket. The iron-hooped felloe of wheel c has the form of a
truncated cone; the said cone has its largest basis at bottom, and is sur-
mounted by a cylindrical crown. The diameter of the said crown is nearly
The lower
equal to that of the circle of the cone touched by the vehicle w.
part of the vertical axis carries the pulley d, Figures 3, 4, and 8, of the same
Drawing, which receives the endless rope. According to the mode of carrying
my Invention into operation, as represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8, Draw-
ing 1, the endless rope receiving its motion from the drum B, turns round the
part of the way which is occupied by that portion of the apparatus, the
pulleys of which a and b are driven by it. These pullies are provided with a
square groove and rims. The endless rope performs an entire turn round
each of these said pulleys, Figures 3, 4, and 8, each of the other following
ropes is prepared to act in the same manner. The rope crosses over the top
of all the pullies a, placed on the same side of the line and underneath all
the pulleys a placed on the opposite side. As to the pulleys d, the rope turns
round all those placed on the same side of the line so as to cross between
these pulleys and the axis of the line. It turns round all the pulleys set on
the other side in such a manner that those pulleys are placed between the axis
of the line and the crossing point. Besides that portion of rope which in the
groove of a pulley a has its point of suspension upon the second plane, bas in
the groove of the next pulley its point of suspension on the first plane, and
reciprocally by that means the whole of the spirals formed in the grooves of
the pulleys a are constantly inserted within the two same vertical planes, and
in the same manner the portion of rope having its crossing point in the
groove of a pulley d, placed at top, has its crossing point at the bottom of the
following pulley d, and thus reciprocally, in order that all the spirals formed
within the grooves of the pulleys d should always be similarly inserted between
the two same horizontal planes. The said pulleys & have their lower rim
larger than the upper one. The lower rim must be nearly in contact with
four round vertical rods placed in such a manner as to prevent the rope from
slipping out of the groove; as for the pulleys a, they must have high outer
rims or projections, and the 4 round rods which are to guide the rope must

page_text: be horizontal, two being underneath and two above. All the herein-before
described contrivances serve to insure the direction of the rope and to cause
the whole of the pulleys a and d connected with the wheels b and c to turn
according to the movement of the vehicle w. The wheels b support the
vehicle w, which they pull with them, and the speed of which they keep up,
preventing also its keel from sliding off. The pulleys & prop the vehicle w,
guide it laterally without lessening its speed, and prevent its being overturned.
I have herein-before stated that the movers of the successive ropes are put
in motion beforehand at determined periods in order that the whole system of
which they form an organ should have, at the arrival of the vehicle w, a
convenient speed. Drawing I. represents only two of the movers which can
be employed. One is a locomotive steam engine R, Figure 8; the other,
Figure 7, is a carriage full of water, descending a self-acting plane, and
driving an endless rope which moves the drums. The vertical weight T (called
e tachymeter is disconnected from the anporatus after having given the onged
d
be horizontal, two being underneath and two above. All the herein-before
described contrivances serve to insure the direction of the rope and to cause
the whole of the pulleys a and d connected with the wheels b and c to turn
according to the movement of the vehicle w. The wheels support the
vehicle w, which they pull with them, and the speed of which they keep up,
preventing also its keel from sliding off. The pulleys & prop the vehicle w,
guide it laterally without lessening its speed, and prevent its being overturned.
I have herein-before stated that the movers of the successive ropes are put
in motion beforehand at determined periods in order that the whole system of
which they form an organ should have, at the arrival of the vehicle w, a
convenient speed. Drawing I. represents only two of the movers which can
be employed. One is a locomotive steam engine R, Figure 8; the other,
Figure 7, is a carriage full of water, descending a self-acting plane, and
driving an endless rope which moves the drums. The vertical weight T (called
e tachymeter is disconnected from the apparatus after having given the speed
by its falling.)
ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHANGING THE DIRECTION.
The vehicles constructed for lines where changes in the direction are
required either in elevations or laterally are moved by small rollers for j, each
of them supported by a jointed semi-parallelogram (Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
and 6, Drawing II., having its sliding casing moving along round iron rods r,
parallel to the keel; the small rollers; corresponding to the change of elevation
are provided with outer projections and are fixed to both ends of a horizontal
axle which passes freely through the keel and turns in two bearings placed on
each side of the keel. Each casing containing the bearing is of a cylindrical
form, and passes through three rings, two of which terminate the rod u, and
the third one, that is to say, the ring in the middle, terminates the rod v; in
this manner these two rods, the one terminated by the casing u, and the other
by the casing v, with which they are united, form a jointed angle at top. The
three herein-before described rings can turn round the casing of the bearing.
The two casings u and slide between two jutting out parts upon the bar r,
which passes through them; the bar r is supported at the same time by the
side of the keel and by the ledges, on which is placed the frame of the
vehicle. Two springs fixed to the support piece or bar r, Figure 6, serve to
deaden the jerks and to help the raising of the small roller, one of these
springs reaches and takes hold of the branch u, the other of the branch v.
The small rollers guiding the vehicle when it has to pass through lateral
turnings are prepared like the rollers herein-before described, excepting as

page_text: regards the following modifications. These rollers, the periphery of which is
completely cylindrical, are without rims or outer projections, and having to
rotate on a horizontal plane, each of them has its axis turning in a cylindrical
socket which pivots in a conical recess upon the extremity of the flat barq; the
outer end of the bar q passes through the flat ring z, Figures 4 and 5, Drawing
II., in which it moves laterally and lengthways. The bar z serves consequently
as the point of support necessary to maintain the jointed semi-parallelogram
u, v, in a horizontal position. Two springs, Figure 4, are fixed at one end to
a support of the bar r, and by the other end to the flat ring z; one of them is.
in contact with a pin with which the arm u is provided, and the other spring
is in contact with a pin with which the other arm v is also provided; these
springs serve to push the pins forward and towards the rails, as herein-after
described, by which the vehicle w is guided laterally. The corresponding
roller is symetrically disposed on the other side of the keel. The said jointed
horizontal triangles are placed in the empty spaces between those which act
vertically. When a change of elevation takes place the two directions are
made to meet by means of a curved railway on which the vertical rollers of
the vehicle ware to bear. Some of the wheels b can be suppressed, but care
must be taken that, there should always be some one in contact with the
underneath part of the keel, cither in the first or the second direction. On
the straight sections of a railway leading to lateral curves two lateral rails are
to be established to serve as a guide; they approach one another gradually
until they come to a tighter contact with the horizontal rollers of the vehicle w.
In the said lateral curves the wheels c are suppressed. The wheels b have their
rotative axes in the same vertical plane with the corresponding radius of the
curve, and their felloes must be enlarged to the required size, in order that
the keel during its lateral oscillations may never fail to bear on the felloe.
On leaving the curve the vehicle w must find another short section of a
straight railway, like the one herein-before described. The sooner the vehicle
is enabled to return to a straight horizontal direction the better; one of tho
advantages to be obtained thereby is to avoid that the vertical and horizontal
rollers be working too long at a time. In the lateral curves the wheels C are
suppressed in the vertical ones; their periphery must be almost cylindrical, and
the felloes high enough to be met by the vehicles under the greatest angle
allowed in the changes of direction. As the change of direction always
necessitates a loss of speed, it will be well to compensate that loss either
before or after the passage through a curve, by increasing the speed of some
of the wheels b and c, the best way for which is to give to the pulleys a and d,
set on their axes, a smaller diameter than the diameter of the other pulleys a
and d.

page_text: MODE OF LEAVING PACKAGES AT INTERMEDIATE POINTS WITHOUT STOPPING
OR LESSENING THE SPEED OF THE VкHICLES.
I dispose the interior of the vehicle in such a manner that the packages are
placed in the following order :-The first parcel to be left is placed in the
back part of the vehicle, the second before the first, and so on (Figure 7,
Drawing II); each parcel is provided on each side with two vertical bars; the
top of each of these bars is united to the top of the corresponding bar on the
opposite side by means of a horizontal bar. The two horizontal bars are
united by a tire piece which is on the outside of the vehicle and parallel to
the sleepers z¹; each of these said two horizontal bars is provided with a small
roller y, having an outer projection. The vertical bars of the first package,
that is to say, of the package placed in the back of the vehicle, are longer
than those of the second parcel, and those of the second are longer than those
of the third, and so on. Each parcel is placed in the vehicle in such a manner
as to be only withdrawn when it is pulled up from bottom to top. When the
apparatus reaches the station where the first package is to be left, I cause the
vehicle to pass under a framework presenting a longitudinal aperture which
is parallel to the sleepers z'. This aperture is provided on each side with a
rail conveniently set for catching the two rollers y, placed on the same side,
and with which the package No. 1 is provided, whilst at the same moment
the vertical bars of the package Nos. 2 and 3, which are shorter than those of
No. 1, will pass under the aperture without being in contact with it. The
direction of the railway is at first parallel to the plane of the sleepers z¹, on a
length sufficient to permit the rollers y to pass upon it all at once. That
parallel part is followed by an ascending plane which raises the package No. 1
until it is separated from the vehicle w without being in a situation to fall into
it again; at that moment the line of the rail will separate by means of a curve
from the line of direction of the vehicle, and will conduct the same package
No. 1 on a line, where any suitable means might be employed to stop it.
all the successive stations the line of rails prepared to receive the rollers, will,
relatively to the packages Nos. 2, 3, &c., act after the same mode as that
herein-before described for the removal of the package No. 1.
In
MODE OF STARTING VEHICLES FROM ANY INTERMEDIATE POINTS OF A LINE,
AND OF RECEIVING THEM BACK ON THEIR RETURN TO THE SAME POINTS.
When on a line there are some intermediate points from which I have to
send parcels to some other intermediate points, or to one of the extremities. I
distribute them on a vehicle in the same manner as herein-before described.
I place the vehicle on a number of wheels g, Drawing II., Figure 8, which is

page_text: in due proportion with the length of its keel. These wheels g are similar to
the wheels b, and turn in bearings supported by the sides of a frame. The
frame is horizontally suspended by means of cables passing round pulleys,
which are supported by fixed points perpendicular to the line. The cables are
coiled round a drum, which is unloosened. When the frame is to descend I
dispose the wheels g in such a manner that on descending they get between
the wheels b until the keel of the vehicle is set on the said wheels b, then as
soon as the wheels 6, by carrying the vehicle away in their own rotation, have
disengaged the wheels g, the frame is raised up and the line becomes free.
The above apparatus which I call the introductor may be employed in the same
manner for starting vehicles from the extremities of a line. When I have to
receive and stop a vehicle returning to an intermediate point, I have only to
lower a frame prepared similarly to the one herein-before described, Draw-
ing II., Figure 8, with this difference, however, viz, instead of rollers the
frame prepared to receive the vehicle presents to it a vertically curved rail-
way, whereby it is led to a station which is more elevated than the running
line, the said station being provided with wheels similar to wheels b, and
moving at the moment when the vehicle is coming over them. As soon as tho
vehicle has completely entered upon its station, the frame, which I call the
receiver, is lifted up, the mover of the wheels of the station is disconnected, and
the remainder of the operation is similar to what I have herein-before
described when the vehicle reaches the end of the line.
The Drawing 1, Figures 1 and 2, exhibits a mode of modifying the construc-
tion of such sections of the apparatus as are adapted to these portions of the
way where the course of the vehicle is a straight horizontal line. The couple
of wheels c, and the corresponding pulleys d, are altogether suppressed. Each
couple is replaced by a single wheel b, and by a lateral cast-iron or wood rail e,
whose office is to be at the proper moment met by the horizontal wheels f, and
which wheels are adapted to the vehicle, Drawing II., Figures 4 and 5, and to
keep it thereby upright, preventing at the same time its being upset or thrown
off by the wind. I can replace the cast-iron rails by wooden beams, if circum-
stances render it necessary. The row of these lateral rails may be complete,
or, as shown in the Figures 1 and 2, one out of two may be alternately sup-
pressed for economy, and the rails e are not to be in continuous contact with
the horizontal wheels f to prevent the accidents or wearing which may attend
so rapid a motion of so small wheels revolving throughout the journey, but
they must be near enough to come in contact with the wheels f as soon as the
vehicle has deviated from the right course. The rails might as well be laid
down under the frame of the vehicles so as to be nearly in contact with the
under part of the ledges fixed to the keel. In that case those ledges are to be

page_text: round underneath, in order to make them slip lightly on the upper face of the
rails e.
This leads me to conclude with the following general observations
concerning the structure of the props, and of the vehicle, and the correctness
of the mechanical arrangements and working. The gauge of the vehicle W
in width must be constantly the same; the boxes and the frames may be built
separately. The frame may constantly consist of the keel, with its parallel
beams fixed in a permanent manner on the ledges attached to the keel. The
only admissible difference between two frames must be in the length. As to
the boxes they may be set and temporarily fixed on the frame; they may vary
I
in size according to the weight and volume of the loads they are to carry.
purpose to try whether it will be expedient to set on the wheels b, instead of a
single frame, two or more of them connected together by jointed parellograms.
The props require to be steady, well levelled, and true, as to their respective
position to each other. The posts bearing the chairs or the sockets, with their
wheels or c, and the cross beam whereon those posts are fixed, must be set
into a single frame ready fitted up, so as to want nothing else, and to be put
and pinned in the due direction, according to the marks on the tops of the props,
which is to be found on a level with the two next props.
And having now fully described the nature of my Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise details or proportions of the
several parts of the machinery or apparatus represented in the Drawings
and herein-before spoken of, provided the general features be similar to what
has been herein laid down; but what I claim as new as my Invention, and
intended to be protected by the said Letters Patent, is,-
Firstly, the rapid conveyance of letters, letter bags, parcels, and light
articles by means of an apparatus and vehicle as hercin-before described,
reference being had to all the Figures of the Drawings.
Secondly, the constructing of an apparatus for the conveyance of letters,
letter bags, light parcels, and other similar light articles, as herein-before
described, reference being had to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 of Drawing I,
and Figures 1, 2, 3, Drawing II.
Thirdly, the peculiar construction of the vehicle as herein-before described,
reference being had to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, Drawing 1, and to all the
Figures of Drawing II.
In witness whereof, I, the said Armand Jean Baptiste Louis Marcescheau,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, the Twenty-third day of October,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
A. J. B. L. (L.S.) MARCESCHEAU.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-third day of October, in
the year of our Lord 1852, the aforesaid Armand Jean Baptiste Louis Mar-
cescheau came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknow-
ledged the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained
5. and specified, in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was
stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.