IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH THE TRAVELLING MECHANISM OF CARRIAGES AND OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES COMBINED WITH A LOCOMOTIVE-RAIL TO BE USED THEREWITH."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Bickford, of the City of Exeter, in the County of
Devon, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH THE
TRAVELLING MECHANISM OF CARRIAGES AND OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES
COMBINED WITH A LOCOMOTIVE-RAIL TO BE USED THEREWITH."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Bickford at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th August 1879.
"
JOHN BICKFORD, of the City of Exeter, in the County of Devon. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH THE TRAVELLING MECHANISM OF CARRIAGES AND
OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES COMBINED WITH A LOCOMOTIVE-RAIL TO BE USED
THEREWITH."
The object of this Invention, which relates to certain improvements in and
connected with the travelling mechanism of carriages and other wheeled vehicles, is
to construct, combine, and arrange such mechanism in such a manner as to enable
carriages and other vehicles to travel over rough or unprepared roadways with
facility, and to attain various other advantages, which are set forth in the following
description.
A main feature of the Invention consists in combining with the structure of a
carriage or other vehicle two rails or bars, which partake of all motions of the
carriage or vehicle in being propelled or drawn forward, sliding over wheels
supported by a series of travelling carriers which are continuously placed upon the
roadway in the path of the carriage as it proceeds, traversed over by the rails,
drawn up and returned again forward over the rails, and again deposited on the
roadway for the rails and carriage again to pass over. By these means the road is.
not continuously travelled upon as an ordinary wheel would run along an ordinary
rail or road, or as in the case of various traction-engines and other vehicles which
have heretofore been constructed to carry their own track which they lay down
and pick up as they proceed, but the wheel-carriers only rest upon it at intervals
(of a suitable number of feet or it may be yards apart) and the wheels instead of
travelling upon a stationary rail or road become supports stationary in the roadway
during the time the rails and carriage are sliding over them in proceeding.on their

page_text: journey; so that no particular regard need be had to the nature of the roadway
over which the vehicle has to travel. Besides, with such facilities surmounting
and being independent of impediments which would render it impossible to propel
or draw an ordinary wheeled vehicle without considerable danger to its safety and
which could not be otherwise surmounted but at great cost in making the roads or
laying rails, the improved travelling mechanism or apparatus does not wear away
the materials of the road, is comparatively noiseless in action and has a smooth and
almost frictionless motion, having all the facilities belonging to a rail, and a
capability of travelling over any existing road.
"
The improved travelling mechanism may thus be considered, in a general way, as
a reversal of the ordinary. railway and railway carriage, as, instead of a carriage
with wheels running upon a fixed rail, the improved mechanism consists of a
carriage with rails fixed to and carried by it, and which rails glide over and upon
wheels which in the motion of the carriage are automatically laid upon the road
for it as it proceeds; the carriers of such wheels remaining stationary in the road
while the rails and carriage glide over the wheels and then being picked up, drawn
to the front, and again relaid, and so on continuously, as above mentioned.
The wheel-carriers are each constructed as an H-shaped frame, and in each fork
thereof is centred a wheel herein referred to as being the wheels upon which the
rails of the carriage rest and over which they glide. The framing is also provided
with exterior bosses at the axes of these wheels, and turning freely (but with a
limited movement), on which are fitted wings radiating in opposite directions and
which carry cross beams provided with vertical guide rollers. The axles of the
wheels are prolonged through these bosses and are provided with horizontal guide-
rollers.
The guide-rollers bear against guards, guides, or parts of a framing carried by
the carriage underneath. its platform, and are provided for the purpose of causing
the wheel-carriers to travel over the rails, and the rails over the wheels in undeviating
courses, except as is otherwise provided for, as hereinafter mentioned.
The wheel-carriers are connected together in opposite pairs by means of cross-
bars, the said cross-beams and a suitable light framing of the necessary, strength.
On each cross-bar is mounted centrally, but with, a certain freedom of turning and
lateral motion, a broad disc which is the only part of the apparatus which actually
rests upon the road and supports the whole arrangement. Each disc is mounted
above its cross bar by a guide-roller which acts in a central way between parts.of.
the carriage-framing previously referred to, and the carriage balances itself upon
the discs which happen to be on the road; any tendency it may have.to lean to
one side or the other being checked by short spring bars carried by the alternate
opposite wheel-carriers and which when they are borne onto the road immediately
correct any such tendency.
The above referred to framing of the mechanism consists mainly of the platform
of the carriage or vehicle with depending stanchions or sides which box all, the
apparatus in, and it carries the two rails (which may be made of bars of wood or
iron of uniform size throughout) longitudinally thereof, the same being suitably
supported.or fixed to the framing and braced by cross connecting bars. Each end
of each rail carries a grooved pulley, the opposite pairs being on common axles, and
each side pair of these pullies is intended to guide an adjustable chain or wire rope
by which a series of (say) four of such wheel-carriers are connected in an endless
manner; the whole series of wheel-carriers being connected in four pairs by the
cross-bars above mentioned so as to work together in opposite pairs.
Only two of such pairs of the wheel-carriers are balanced or supported by their
discs on the roadway, at a time, and while thus balanced their wheels are upper-
most and the rails.rest upon them, and upon the carriage being drawn or propelled
in either direction, the rails (and carriage) slide over these balanced- wheels-with a.
minimum of friction; this motion causes the upper opposite pairs of wheel-carriers,
the wheels of which rest upon the rails and have no work to do, to be drawn
forward and laid with their discs on the roadway and wheels uppermost in advance

page_text: of the rails which immediately afterwards again (glide thereover, the other wheel
carriers being in turn picked up, drawn over the rails, and relaid in advance thereof
in continuous rotation, the rails (and carriage) in moving forward thus constantly
finding pairs of wheel-carriers in position ready to receive and support then in
their transit, all the intermediate roadway between the discs of the successive
wheel-carriers being passed over untouched, so that the condition thereof is of
comparative unimportance, the rails not being affected by it in any way, as there
is at all times two opposite pairs of wheel-carriersbetween them and the road.
It will thus be seen that according to the above described system there are two
lines of rail, one on each side of the carriage, but only one line of road under the
longitudinal centre of the carriage, and this is an important element in rendering
the apparatus comparatively independent of the state of the road, and in prevent-
ing lateral oscillation. The discs fitted centrally of the cross-bars connecting the
opposite pairs of wheel-carriers, as above described, are caused to keep this central
line by means of their said guide-rollers which pass through the said central way
which is formed between inner projecting guides, parallel with and midway
between the rails.
For the purpose of allowing the carriage to be steered or directed as desired
these guides diverge from each other at each end towards the said chain pullies, so
as to allow of the discs in descending into position being laterally shifted by a
guiding plate or plates, which is or are let down through the platform of the
carriage, so as to cause the disc to reach the roadway out of the straight course;
its guide roller then comes against one side of the inclined entrance to the said
central way, and causes the carriage to turn on the other disc which is upon the
road as a centre and take the desired course.
In returning along the rails to the front, as above described, the wheel-carriers
are supported on the rails by the wheels upon which the rails subsequently glide,
and the wings are supported by other wheels; in turning over at the ends of the rails
these wheels come against curved projections under the said guiding parts of the
framing and ease the motion till the disc fairly reaches the road and takes the full
weight, and simultaneously the said safety-rollers and guards come into use and
prevent the wheel-carriers from falling out of place should the same be crossing
any unusual depression in the road.
The apparatus is constructed with a suitable break or drag, operated by a lever
and by racks and pinions on a cross-bar so as to stop the motion of the vehicle as
soon as possible, by acting on both sides simultaneously.
The above described improved travelling mechanism may be applied to carriages
or vehicles of all kinds, whether drawn or propelled by steam, compressed air,
animal, manual, or other power.
Upon the above-mentioned platform, under and within the sides of which the
above described mechanism is all contained, so that there is no splashing or scatter-
ing of mud or dirt about or onto the platform, the seats for the passengers are
suitably arranged. I prefer to place the seats back to back with an intervening
space for luggage and other uses, the feet of the passengers coming over the sides.
and resting upon convenient footboards not high above the ground, the ends being
similarly arranged for the driver and conductor.
+
This construction I deem preferable in every way to the usual mode of building
cars for passenger accommodation. It is simply a step off the road and only a turn
round to be seated, there being no necessity for passengers to pass each other in
taking or vacating their seats, and no exposed machinery to. be avoided. Against
wet weather a simple semi-fat roof with gutter edges to prevent dripping and
sliding curtains would be sufficient. This roof would be supported from the middle
behind the passengers' seats and stretch over their heads, the curtains being disposed
by them as desired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Bickford in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th February
1880.
JOHN BICKFORD, of the City of Exeter, in the County of Devon. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH THE TRAVELLING MECHANISM OF CARRIAGES AND
OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES COMBINED WITH A LOCOMOTIVE RAIL TO BE USED
THEREWITH."
The object of this Invention, which relates to certain improvements in. and
connected with the travelling mechanism of carriages and other wheeled
vehicles, is to construct, combine, and arrange such mechanism in such a manner as
to enable carriages and other vehicles to travel over rough or unprepared roadways
with facility, and to attain various other advantages, which are set forth in the
following description.
A main feature of the Invention consists in combining with the structure of a
carriage or other vehicle two rails or bars which partake of all the motions of the
carriage or vehicle in being propelled or drawn forward sliding over wheels
supported by a series of travelling carriers which are continuously placed upon the
roadway in the path of the carriage as it proceeds, traversed over by the rails,
drawn up and returned again forward over the rails and again deposited on the
roadway for the rails and carriage again to pass over.
By these means the road is not continuously travelled upon as an ordinary wheel
would run along an ordinary rail or road, or, as in the case of various traction-
engines and other vehicles which have heretofore been constructed to carry their
own track which they lay down and pick up as they proceed, but the wheel-
carriers only rest upon it at intervals of a suitable uumber of feet or it may be
yards apart, and the wheels instead of travelling upon a stationary rail or road
become supports stationary in the roadway during the time the rails and carriage
are gliding over them in proceeding on their journey; so that no particular
regard need he had to the nature of the roadway over which the vehicle has to
travel.
Besides, with such facility surmounting and being independent of impediments
which would render it impossible to propel or draw an ordinary wheeled vehicle
without considerable danger to its safety, and which could not be otherwise sur-
mounted but at great cost in making the roads or laying rails, the improved
travelling mechanism or apparatus does not wear away the material of the road; is
comparatively noiseless in action, and has a smooth and almost frictionless motion,
having all the facilities belonging to a rail, and a capability of travelling over any
existing road.
The improved travelling mechanism may thus be considered, in a general way,
as a reversal of the ordinary railway and railway carriage, as, instead of a carriage
with wheels running upon a fixed rail, the improved mechanism consists of a
carriage with rails fixed to and carried by it, and which rails glide over and upon
wheels which in the motion of the carriage are automatically laid upon the road
for it as it proceeds, the carriers of such wheels remaining stationary in the road
while the rails and carriage glide over the wheels, and then being picked up
drawn to the front and again relaid, and so on continuously, as hereinbefore
mentioned.
The improved apparatus is illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings
in Figures 1 to 4, which respectively represent a sectional side elevation, a sectional
plan view, a sectional end view, and a plan view.
The above mentioned wheel carriers 1 are each constructed as an H shaped framé,
and in each fork thereof is centred or fitted very truly a wheel 2, these being the
wheels upon which the rails 3 of the carriage rest and over which they glide. At

page_text: or adjacent to the axes 4 of the wheels 2 the frames 1 are each provided with two
exterior centres 5 turning freely (but with a limited. movement) on which are
fitted wings 6 radiating in opposite directions and connected in opposite pairs by
cross-beams 7, each of which is. provided with two vertical guide rollers 8,
two horizontal bearing rollers 9, and two blocks 10 immediately under the
latter, each centre 5 being prolonged sufficiently to carry a horizontal guide
roller 11.
The rollers 8, 9, 11, bear respectively against guides 12, tracks 13, and guards
14, forming part of a framing shewn in section in Figure 3, carried by the carriage
underneath its platform 15, and are provided for the purpose of causing the wheel-
carriers 1 with all their adjunctive apparatus to travel over the rails 3, and the
latter over the wheels 2, in undeviating.courses, except as is otherwise provided
for, as hereinafter mentioned,, and for the purposes also hereinafter described.
In addition to the wings 6 being connected as above described, each opposite
pair of wheel carriers 1 is further connected together by means of a cross bar 16,
which is securely bolted to the underside thereof, and centrally on which, but with a
certain freedom of lateral motion, is mounted a sliding box 17, and which may be
fitted with interior friction rollers if desired, and a bolt 18 depending from which
carries a broad convex disc 19, which has a freedom of turning movement thereon
and is blocked off rather deeper than the blocks 10, and is the only part of the
apparatus which actually rests upon the road and supports the whole arrangement.
Each sliding box 17 is surmounted by a guide roller 20, which is capable of
revolving about a bolt 21 arising therefrom, and they all travel successively through
a central way 22 between guiding parts 23 of the carriage framing previously
referred to. The carriage and all its appurtenances are balanced upon the discs
when upon the road, and any tendancy it may have to lean to one side or the
other is checked by bearing rollers 24 carried by bolts 25 depending from alternate
opposite wheel carriers, and which rollers when borne on to the road immediately
correct any such tendency.
The above referred to framing of the mechanism consists mainly of the platform
15 of the carriage or vehicle with depending stanchions or sides 26 which box all
the apparatus in, and it carries the two rails 3 (which may be made of bars of
wood or iron of uniform size throughout) longitudinally thereof, the same being
suitably supported by or fixed to the framing and braced by cross connecting
bars 27 parallel with each other. The guards 14 are carried by the stanchions 26,
and the guides 12 are built upon the framework of the rails 3, and clear of the
stanchions, and on a line with the outside of the pullies 28 hereinafter mentioned, the
paths 13 being iron tracks carried by the framing of the guides 12, and the under tracks
of the wheels 2 being also formed of iron carried by the rails 3, and gradually
thinning away at the ends or carried completely round, as shewn in Figure 1.
Each end of each rail 3 carries a grooved pulley 28, the opposite pairs being on
common axles 29, and each side pair thereof is intended to guide and adjustable
chain or wire rope 30 non-flexible laterally, and by which a series of (say) four of
the wheel carriers 1 are connected in an endless manner; the whole series of
wheel carriers being connected in four pairs by the cross bars 16, wings 6, and
beams 7 above mentioned, so as to work together in opposite pairs.
Only two of such pairs of the wheel carriers are balanced or supported by their
discs 19 on the roadway at a time, and while thus balanced their wheels 2.are
uppermost and the rails 3 rest upon them, and upon the carriage being drawn or
propelled in either direction the rails (and carriage) glide over these balanced
wheels with a minimum of friction; this motion causes the upper opposite pairs of
wheel-carriers, the wheels 2 of which rest upon the rails 3 and have no work to do,
to be drawn forward and laid with their discs 19 on the roadway and wheels 2
uppermost in advance of the rails 3, which immediately afterwards again glide
thercover, the other wheel carriers being in turn picked up (one descending at the
forward end while another is rising at the rear end and thus balancing each other,)
and then drawn over the rails and relaid in advance thereof in continuous rotation,

page_text: the said guards, guides, and rollers ensuring these motions being done with regu-
larity, the rails (and carriage) in moving forward thus constantly finding pairs of
wheel-carriers in position ready to receive and support them in their transit, all
the intermediate roadway between the discs of the successive wheel-carriers being
passed over untouched, so that the condition thereof is of comparative unimportance,
the rails not being affected by it in any way, as there is at all times two opposite
pairs of wheel-carriers between them and the road.
It will thus be seen that according to the above-described system there are two
lines of rails, one on each side of the carriage, but only one line of road used,
and that under the longitudinal centre of the carriage; and this is an important
element in rendering the apparatus comparatively independent of the state of the
road, and in preventing lateral oscillation, the discs 19 being caused to keep this
central line by means of their said guide rollers 20, which pass through the said
central way 22 formed between the guides 23 parallel with and mid-way between
the rails:
But, as above referred to, for the purpose of allowing the carriage to be steered or
directed as desired these guides diverge from each other at each end 31 towards
the said chain pullies 28 so as to allow of the sliding boxes 17 carrying the discs 19
when free in descending into position, being laterally shifted together with the
discs along the cross bars 16 by hinged guiding flanged plates 32, which by means
of chains 33 are let down through the platform 15 of the carriage, and lowered so
as to present an inclined plane in the path of the disc, so as to cause it to reach the
roadway out of the straight course, and when fixed in this position by the weight
of the carriage coming on it, its guide roller 20 comes against one side of the
inclined entrance 31 to the central way 22, and causes the carriage to turn on the
other disc which is upon the road as a centre, and take the desired course. The
chains 33 of the flanged plates 32 are connected to the side bars of a pivoted frame
34 to the eye 35 of which the horse is attached, and on his turning aside in either
direction, say to the left, the frame 34 is correspondingly moved, and the right
hand steering plate 32 is let down through the platform, causing first the disc and
then the carriage to partake of a corresponding motion to the left, the left hand
steering plate being raised out of work at the time the right hand one was
lowered.
If the driver requires to have the guidance of the carriage under his own control
the horse is attached to the front bar 36 of the carriage framing instead of to the
frame 34, which he can then actuate as desired. Or the bar 34* carrying the
flanged plates 32 may be made capable of lateral movement, being centred at a and
adjustable in any desired position by means of bolts in slots b in the front bar 36,
so as to cause the discs to deviate only to the distance required.
The machine is constructed to go either end before, and there is a guiding frame
34 at each end, but as only the front one of them can be used at a time, the action
of the rear one is suspended by inserting a suitable retaining pin, or its equivalent,
and as the frames 34 are independent of each other they can be both put out of
work together.
In returning along the rails to the front, as above described, the wheel carriers
are supported upon the rails by the wheels 2 upon which the rails subsequently
glide, and the wings and chains are supported by the bearing rollers 9 which roll
over the tracks 13; and in turning over at the forward end of the rails two under-
pieces 37, carried by the cross-bar 16, come under the pullies 28 which roll out
thereon and ease the settling of the carriers, the front of the machine being held
up by the rollers 9 of the carriers already in position to make way for the
descending wheel-carriers, and simultaneously the said guide rollers 11 and guards
14 come into use and prevent the wheel carriers from falling out of place should
the disc descend into any unusual depression in the road, the wings then being
supported by the stops 38.
Should this occur the blocks 10 then rest upon the road, and perform the
function of the discs in supporting all else clear thereof; the rollers 11 dropping on

page_text: their guards 14 and the rollers 9 immediately above the blocks 10, and which only
bear against their under tracks 13 at such times or when something occurs in the
road which pushes them upwards thereagainst, then take the whole weight for the
time being.
The apparatus is constructed with opposite breaks or drags 39, the bearings 40
of which are bolted to the under framing or stanchions 26 as low as is conveniently
possible, and these breaks are operated by a lever or by a hand wheel 41 and
pinions 42 on a cross shaft 43, and which work into rack bars 44 connected to the
breaks 39 so as to stop the motion of the vehicle as soon as possible by acting on
both sides simultaneously.
The above described improved travelling mechanism may be applied to carriages
or vehicles of all kinds, whether drawn or propelled by steam, compressed air, or
animal, manual, or other power.
Upon the above mentioned platform, under and within the sides of which the
above described mechanism is all contained, so that there is no splashing or
scattering of mud or dirt about or onto the platform, the seats for the passengers
are suitably arranged. I prefer to place the seats back to back with an intervening
space for luggage and other uses, the feet of the passengers coming over the sides
and resting upon convenient foot boards not high above the ground, the ends being
similarly arranged for the driver and the conductor.
This construction I deem preferable in every way to the usual mode of building
cars for passenger accommodation. It requires simply a step off the road and only
a turn round to be seated, there being no necessity for passengers to pass each other
in taking or vacating their seats, and no exposed machinery to be avoided.
Against wet weather a simple semi-flat roof with gutter edges to prevent dripping,
and sliding curtains would be sufficient. This roof could be supported from the
middle behind the passengers' seats and stretch over their heads, the curtains being
disposed by them as required.
Having now described the nature and objects of my said Invention, together
with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention,―
The above described improvements in and connected with the travelling
mechanism of carriages and other wheeled vehicles, such improvements con-
sisting-In the combination with the structure of a carriage or other wheeled
vehicle of longitudinal side rails or bars, which partake of all motions of the
carriage or vehicle in being propelled or drawn forward, with a connected series of
wheel carriers which are continuously placed as stationary supports upon the road-
way at intervals of a suitable number of feet, or it may be yards, apart in the path
of the carriage as it proceeds, traversed over by the rails which glide or roll over
the supporting wheels drawn up and returned again forward over the rails, and
again deposited stationary upon the roadway for the rails and carriage again to
pass over, with the object of enabling carriages and other wheeled vehicles to be
drawn or propelled over rough or unprepared roads without endangering their
safety, substantially as herein before described and as illustrated on the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Bickford, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty fourth day of February, in the year of our Lord One