AN OUTER PLATFORM AND RAILING FOR THE SIDES OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Isidore Le Grand, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium,
Mechanician, for the Invention of "AN OUTER PLATFORM AND RAILING FOR
THE SIDES OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES."
Sealed the 26th June 1877, and dated the 5th April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Isidore Le Grand at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th April 1877.
ISIDORE LE GRAND, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Mechanician.
OUTER PLATFORM AND RAILING FOR THE SIDES OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES."
« AN
This Invention of improvements in railings for railway carriages, and which I
call Pare a Gardes Le Grand, consists in an outward lobby adapted on each side
of the carriages, permitting the guard as well as the passengers to circulate freely
without any danger.
The advantages of this apparatus over all others of this kind known are these,-
First. It can at will be brought close to the carriage in order to allow it to pass
anywhere without danger, and especially through the carriage guages.
Second. When the six foot or between road is not wide enough to open the
apparatus when two trains are opposite one another, it remains fastened close to
the carriage on the between side, so that it may not move, and also that it may
prevent the doors on that side being open, so that the guards and the passengers are
compelled to alight on the open side, that is, the platform side.
Third. That it remains ready for use when the road has an adequate breadth.
Fourth. On the return journey one has only to shut the apparatus on the open
side, and open it on the other side, which is then against the platform.
Fifth. For passing the carriage guage or minimum of section, the apparatus
working easily and quickly, one need only shut the apparatus on both sides.
The apparatus can be made of iron or wood; the lobbies or guard rails may be of
the height judged convenient, and they may be covered with sheet iron panels or
other material. If made as high as the carriages they may be covered with leather
or other suitable material.

page_text: The carriages being of different types the apparatus will naturally be appropriate
to each type.
The apparatus consists of a floor or platform the length of the carriage, upon
which the passengers can walk; a suitable rail along the outside of it protects the
passenger. Where required suitable openings are made by doors.
Cross traverses support the floor or platform, which slide in suitable bearings
made in the under framing of the carriages, and so as to be clear of the wheels. The
sliding bars allow the platform to be brought close to the carriage, where by hooks
or other suitable means it may be fastened. In certain cases these sliding bars may
roll upon wheels or pulleys, so as to be easily moved, and stops are provided to
limit the extension of the apparatus.
Where the platform terminates a supplementary step may be provided to carry
the passenger on to the next platform of the adjoining carriage.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Isidore Le Grand in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th July
1877.
ISIDORE LE GRAND, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Mechanician.
OUTER PLATFORM AND RAILING FOR THE SIDES OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES."
"AN
This Invention of an outer platform and railing for the sides of railway carriages,
and which I call "Pare a gardes Le Grand," consists in an outward lobby adapted on
each side of the carriages, permitting the guard as well as the passengers to circulate
freely without any danger of falling.
The advantages of this apparatus over all others of this kind known are theso,―
First. It can at will be brought close to the carriage in order to allow it to pass
everywhere without danger, and especially through the carriage gauges or minimum
section of way.
Second. When the six foot or between road is not wide enough to open the
apparatus when two trains are opposite one another it remains fastened close to the
carriage on the between side, so that it may not move, and also that it may prevent
the doors on that side heing opened, so that the guards and the passengers are
compelled to alight on the open side, that is, the platform side.
Third. That it remains ready for use when the road has an adequate breadth.
Fourth. On the return journey one has only to shut the apparatus on the open
side, and open it on the other side, which is then against the platform.
Fifth. For passing the carriage gauge or minima of section, the apparatus working
casily and quickly, one need only shut the apparatus on both sides.
The apparatus can be made of iron or wood; the lobbies or guard rails may be of
the height judged convenient, and they may be covered with sheet iron panels or
other material. If made as high as the carriages they may be covered with leather
or other suitable material, and provided with doors to exclude air.
In the Drawings attached and forming part of this Specification the like letters
indicate like parts.
The working of the apparatus is shown in the Drawings; it slides like a drawer.
The movement might also be made by means of gearing or otherwise.
The lobby A is inade in one or moro pieces, which are attached by hinges, and
fold up against the carriage.
The iron bars C bearing the apparatus are placed across and inclined to the
wagons; they may also be placed horizontally, and in that case made in one piece,
or be united together. They thus traverse the wagon, and support an apparatus on
each side of the carriage. By this arrangement in opening one side they shut the
other, as the narrow places and the requirements will decide. D, supports attached

page_text: to the wagon; E, rollers; F, stops serving to arrest and bind the bars C; it serves
also by one or more holes to regulate the amount of the slide.
Double doors may be provided; if the apparatus is constructed of the height of
the wagon it may be of one piece, and slide sideways on rollers; G, hooks, which
hold the apparatus shut.
•
A supplemental platform may be applied for passing from one apparatus to the
other;
it should conform to all the movements of approaching of the carriages one
to the other. Chains also may be fitted from one apparatus to the other. The
apparatus may be placed at any desired height from the ground.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that I
do not claim any of the parts of the arrangement taken separately, but the different
combination of the parts forming a whole, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, tho said Isidore Le Grand, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
ISIDORE LE GRAND. (L.S.)