IMPROVEMENTS IN CARRIAGES
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Hedges, of Streatham Hill, in the
County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CARRIAGES"
Sealed the 17th January 1853, and dated the 22nd November 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Hedges at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 22nd November 1852.
I, WILLIAM HEDGES, of Streatham Hill, in the County of Surrey,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN CARRIAGES" to be as follows:
The object of this Invention is to construct a light and convenient
two wheeled carriage to contain four persons comfortably, and a
moveable seat for one person to drive from the interior, to be drawn
by one or two horses. The wheels are on a cranked axle, the
entrance into the carriage is from behind, and the driver's seat is

page_text: behind. In these particulars, however, the carriage is similar to
what has before been proposed, but the carriage is capable of being
used as an open or closed carriage, there being a large window
in front and one on either side; the front uprights or frames in
which such windows slide are capable, when the windows are down,
of folding back, and part of the roof of the carriage is made to slide
or move back. The fore part of the carriage is arranged to receive
two shafts for one horse, or a pole and apparatus for a pair of
horses.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, filed by the said William Hedges in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 17th May 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME,
William Hedges, of Streatham Hill, in the County of Surrey, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty second day of November, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty two, in the
sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said William Hedges, Her
special licence that I, the said William Hedges, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Hedges, 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
night make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARRIAGES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said William Hedges, by an Instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, 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

page_text: 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 William Hedges, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof (that is to say):
The object of the Invention is to construct a light and convenient
two wheeled carriage, to contain four persons comfortably, and a
moveable seat for a person to drive from the interior. The wheels
are on a cranked axle, the entrance into the carriage is from behind,
and the driver's seat is behind. In these particulars, however, the
carriage is similar to what has before been proposed, but the
carriage is capable of being used as an open or closed carriage,
there being a large window in front, and one on either sides. The
front uprights or frames are capable, when the windows are down,
of folding back, and part of the roof of the carriage is made to
slide or move back. The fore part of the carriage is arranged to
receive two shafts for one horse, or a pole and apparatus for a
pain of horses
Figure 1, is a side view; Figure 2, a back view; Figure 3, is a
section; Figure 4, a front view; and Figure 5, a plan, in section,
to show the arrangement of seats in the interior. The top is made
of two parts; the part towards the front moving back, when it is
desired to have the carriage opened, and the uprights of the angles
fold down on hinges.
The drawing shows the driver's seat, on the near side, and a recess
at the back for his knees and feet, by which the balance or leverage
is better regulated, and the entrance door at the off side; but these
arrangements may be reversed.
A lamp is placed on the top, as shewn, by which the light
diffused will be equal in effect to two lamps if placed at the sides.
The roof, if desired, may be fixed.

page_text: Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, I would
have it understood that what I claim is, the peculiar arrangement,
form, shape, or combination herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Hedges, have hereunto
set my hand and seal this Fourth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
Witness,
J. G. TONGUE.
WILLIAM HEDGES. (L.S.)