CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CARRIAGES, CARTS, MILITARY AND OTHER WAGGONS, AND WHEELS FOR LOCOMOTIVE AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Marcus Davis, of 5, Lyon's Inn, Strand, in the
City of Westminster, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CARRIAGES, CARTS, MILITARY AND OTHER
WAGGONS, AND WHEELS FOR LOCOMOTIVE AND OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 5th January 1853, and dated the 1st October 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Marcus Davis at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 1st October 1852.
I, MARCUS DAVIS, of 5, Lyon's Inn, Strand, in the City of West-
minster, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CARRIAGES, CARTS,
MILITARY AND OTHER WAGGONS, AND WHEELS FOR LOCOMOTIVE AND OTHER
PURPOSES," to be as follows:
The spokes of the wheels I make of hollow iron or other inctal tube.
The description I use is of a cylindrical form, although I do not confine
myself to this particular form, as I also make the spokes of conical
tube, and oval. The principal design of the Invention is to secure
lightness with strength and durability, by the hollowness of the material
employed. I fasten these spokes of hollow metal into a nave stock or
iron box, by means of a worm or screw formed on the end of the

page_text: spoke; though I do not claim a strict adherence to this particular
method of fastening, as I adopt any other method by which any
mechanic would make such fastenings.
The outer ring of the wheel I make of metal tubing, curved to form
a circle, and I make this ring of one continuous circle, or segments of
a circle joined, braced, rivetted, or screwed together so as to form a
circle; and for additional durability, if required, I face such curved metal
tubing with tempered steel, or a combination of steel and other metals,
or steel and buffalo horn, or I cover such tubing with caoutchouc, or
India-rubber, or gutta percha. The outer surface or periphery of the
wheel I also make of bar iron
narrow part or edges of the rim
this rim to the extremities of the hollow spokes, its broad or flat side
being parallel with the carriage, and its narrow edge, or the narrow edges,
being horizontal, to run on the roads. For light carriages, I use one
rim only; and for carriages of a heavier description, I make use of two
or more rims or rings of metal, and between the interstices formed by
connecting the rings I insert metal, wood, or buffalo horn, combined or
separately, or any material, to prevent vibration. I make these rings
or rims of one continuous circle, or segments of a circle joined, braced,
rivetted, or screwed together to form a circle.
curved into a circle, affixed so that the
shall work on the roads, and I affix
To prevent noise, and a tendency of the metal spokes and the
tubular outer ring to become loose in their fittings and bearings, from
vibration, I stuff the tubes or hollow metal that I employ in these and other
parts of the carriage with leather cuttings, shavings, cotton, woollen
cloth, cork, or any other material, to prevent vibration.
For large wheels, to give increased strength, I introduce, about
midway between the stock and outer ring, a circle of metal or
other substance, as in A, Figure 1, or a piece or pieces of metal
fastened from one spoke to the other, in the form of a tangent to an
imaginary circle, as in A, Figure 2, or a piece of metal running round
the spokes, as in A, Figure 3.
The axle-tree of the carriage I also make of tubing or hollow metal.
The box of the wheel I have grooved, or made larger towards the
centre of the box; and a ring or rings of buffalo horn is or are inserted

page_text: in the box, to prevent, in a great degree, the wear in the axle arm and
box. I make one or more holes through the stock and box, and insert
therein a piece or pieces of metal, glass, or other substance, with a
stopper or stoppers, to keep out dirt; this is for the purpose of supply-
ing the axles with oil without the necessity of removing the wheels
from the axles.
The shafts I also form of tubing or hollow metal, bent into a curved
form or straight, is best adapted to the cart or carriage for which they
are intended.
I also make the upright bearings, the framework, and that which
was hitherto the timbers of the carriage, of tubing or hollow metal, and
the other parts of the carriage I make of sheet iron and other sheet
metals formed into curves, to give sufficient strength to the carriage.
I obtain the holes in the stocks, for the tubes or spokes to enter,
in the manner of radii, by placing the stock on a divided plate,
similar to those in dividing engines, which plate is attached to a
lathe or machine similar thereto, and a gimlet, awl, gouge, drill, or
other instrument for making holes in wood or metal, is attached to
this machine, and a rotary motion given to such gimlet, awl, gouge,
drill, or other instrument, and pointing to the centre of the stock,
makes the holes therein, for placing the spokes at radii equi-distant
from each other.
I also claim the application of the various parts of this Invention
in repairing carriages, carts, waggons, and wheels, as aforesaid.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said Marcus Davis, in the Great Seal Patent Office, on
the 29th January 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
MARCUS DAVIS, of 5, Lyon's Inn, Strand, in the City of Westminster,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of October in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the sixteenth year

page_text: of Her reign, did for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Marcus Davis, Her special licence that I, the said
Marcus Davis, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Marcus Davis, 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 might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle
of Man, an Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF CARRIAGES, CARTS, MILITARY AND OTHER WAGGONS, AND WHEELS FOR
LOCOMOTIVE AND OTHER PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Marcus Davis, 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 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 Marcus Davis, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement (that is to say):
My Invention consists,-
First, of improvements in wheels for carriages to run on common
roads, portable platforms, scaffolding, and machines, for facilitating
escape from fire, and general locomotive purposes.
Second, of improvements in conveying grease to axles.
Third, of improvements in the method of making wheels silent.
Fourth, of improvements in the construction of axle-trees and
axle-boxes for carriages to run on common roads.
Fifth, of improvements in Paradis's patent springs.
Sixth, of improvements in Davis's measuring and indicating cabs.
Seventh, of improvements in wheels for railroads.
The spokes of the wheels I make of hollow iron tube, or any other
kind of metal tube. The description I use is of a cylindrical form,
although I do not confine myself to this particular figure or form,
as I also make the spokes conical or oval; the principal design of

page_text: the Invention being to secure lightness, with strength and durability,
by the hollowness of the material employed. I fasten these spokes of
tube or hollow metal into a wooden nave stock or iron box by means
of a worm or screw formed on the end of the spoke, as in A, Figure 1;
or the box, if of iron, may be cast on to the spokes, by the spokes being
laid in channels of radii to a centre, whilst the metal, in a melted or
fluid state, is poured into an impression from a pattern, and, flowing
round the ends of the spokes nearest to the centre, on the metal
cooling, the spoke of worked iron adheres to the cast metal. Or I fix,
by casting, brazing, or any other known means, the ends of the spokes
nearest the centre in iron or other metal sockets, as in Figure 2, and A,
Figure 7. These sockets may be formed on a band or circle, and
driven on to the wooden stock. I prefer fixing the spokes on or in the
stock at an angle, to give what is termed "dish" and elasticity to the
wheel; or I bend the spokes into curves for the same purpose (as in
Figure 7.)
The modes of fastening above described are such as most
mechanics are acquainted with, but I do not adhere to those described
methods of fixing the spokes, as I use any known plans by which any
mechanist would make such adhesion. One or more of the tubular
spokes will serve as a channel or channels to contain oil, or a lubricating
fluid, and by means of a hole, directed in a line with any spoke, through
the stock and box, the lubricating fluid will be conveyed to the axle-arm
without the necessity of removing the wheels from the axles; the spokes
that serve as oil channels must be cleaned or glazed inside. If I form
the spoke with a worm to screw into the stock, (as in A, Figure 1,) a
hole is made through the worm, and if the stock is of wood it will
require lining with metal, or some substance that does not absorb
the lubricating fluid; and a piece of sponge, or material for a like
purpose, over the bottom of any hole in the stock or box leading from
any reservoir or channels formed by the spokes, and reaching the axle-
arm, will prevent grit and extraneous matter in the oil from coming in
contact with the axle-arm. The hole in the spoke (B, Figure 1,) is for
the purpose of pouring in the lubricating fluid to feed the axle.
spring (Figure 3,) is fixed on the spoke at the end B, and near which
spring is attached a piece of India-rubber, leather, cork, or any material
A

page_text: to serve as a stopper, to prevent the oil or lubricating fluid from flowing
out of the spoke at the hole (B; Figure 1,) wherein it is poured, by
forcing or raising the spring from the hole B, in the spoke; this spring
I prefer fixing, rivetting, pinning, or screwing within the spoke,
although it may be fixed without.
The outer ring or band forming that portion of the wheel that
connects the extremities of the spokes (A, figure 4,) I make of iron or
other metal tube, curved to form a circle, from the stock as a centre, or
a section of metal tubing (Figure 11, representing a sectional view), or
a section of oval tubing, or any similar form, being hollow (Figure 12,
representing a sectional view of oval tubing), or tube cast in that form;
the sides B, B, I continue, to form flanges for running on railroads. I
make this ring of one continuous circle, or segment of a circle joined,
braced, pinned, rivetted, or screwed together so as to form the complete
circle, and braced, fastened, pinned, rivetted, or screwed on to the ends
of the spokes, for which purpose the end of the spokes (Figure 1,) has
attached thereto an arm, at C, formed into a circle or segment of a
circle, or semicircle or crescent, curved to the figure of the tubular
outer ring; a band, and a pin or screw or rivet, passing through the
tubular outer ring or band in the direction of the dotted line, joins
them firmly together. If additional security be required, I make a clip
to pass over the outer ring or outer band, and on to the spoke, as in
Figure 5. The circular opening A, passes over the outer ring or band;
and the opening B, which may be circular, square, or oblong, open at
the sides or closed, goes over the spokes. If the opening that goes over
the spokes is square or oblong, the spokes require to be flat sided or
square near the end, or a piece of metal fixed on the end of the spoke
with flat sides, or any shape corresponding with the opening of that part
of the clip intended to be affixed to the spoke. Or I make a clip, for
the like purpose of bracing the outer iron tubular band to the spoke, as
represented in figure 6. The part B, that embraces the spoke has a
worn cut thereon, and the clip is cut or divided in two parts in the
direction of the dotted line, and a nut screwing on this clip draws the
edges closely together, causing the clip to brace firmly on the spoke.
Over this outer iron or metal tubular band I cover or place another
tube of sulphurized or vulcanized India-rubber or caoutchouc, leather,

page_text: or gutta percha, in one piece, forming a circle, or in segments to form
a circle from the stock as a centre, or I pass on to the iron tubular
band a number of annular India-rubber rings, to cause the wheels to
traverse the road, silently and prevent the wear in the iron tubular band;
or, for economy, I apply a tube over the iron band, made partly of
sulphurized or vulcanized India-rubber, and partly of canvass, cloth,
pasteboard, or such substance as India-rubber tube and India-rubber
washers are usually combined with for economising the material; and I
apply or make this combination of tube and such other material on the
iron tubular band in such manner that one segment of the sulphurized
India-rubber shall consist of cloth, or such other material as above
described, and the other segment shall consist of the sulphurized India-
rubber. This combination of India-rubber tube is then passed over
and fixed on the iron tubular band, so that the India-rubber shall
present its rolling surface to the roads, and the other segment, con-
sisting of cloth or such other material as above stated, shall be toward
the stock or centre of the wheel; and if increased silence be desirable, I
line the sulphurized India-rubber tube, or such other tube as described
above, or place between the iron tubular band and the India-rubber
tubular band, cotton, flannel, cloth, leather, or any soft material of a
similar nature; or, if I use the sectional metal or oval tubing herein-
before described, I fill the hollow between B, B, Figures 10, 11, 12,
with wood shavings, hemp, flock, cotton, or any soft economical material,
over which is placed a band of sulphurized or vulcanised India-rubber,
to traverse the roads silently; and to render the India-rubber more
durable, I place over it, and affix thercon, spring sheet steel, such as
clock or watch springs are made of.
Another method of making or substituting instead of the tubular
bands of iron and India-rubber which I use, is the application of bar
or flat iron, curved into a circle, and affixed on the tubular spokes, so
that the narrow part or edge of the ring shall bear and work on the
roads, and its broad or flat sides shall be parallel with the body of the
carriage; or the two edges nearest the spoke may incline towards each
other, as represented in Figure 11, to form an angle, and made of
wrought iron, or both sides cast. To give additional strength, pieces
.

page_text: of metal, diagonal or otherwise, are cast in the hollow formed by the
two side bars, and sockets or pieces cast thereon to fasten to the spokes.
I insert in the hollow between B, B, the India-rubber and materials
herein-before described; and to prevent the India-rubber from rubbing
against the edges of the metal, I insert between them gutta percha, or
a similar material. The sides B, B, Figure 11, I continue or lengthen
to form flanges for running on railroads. For light carriages I use one
rim only to each wheel, but for carts or carriages of a heavier descrip-
tion, I make use of two or more such rims or rings of metal, as above
described; between which I insert wood, or buffalo horn, or metal,
combined or separately, or any of the materials before described. T
make these iron rims or rings of one continuous circle, or segments of
a circle joined, braced, rivetted, screwed, or pinned together to form
a circle.
For large wheels, where increased strength is required, I introduce
between the stock and outer ring a circle of metal or other substance,
(as in C, Figure 4b,) or a piece or pieces of metal fixed from one spoke
to the other, in the form of a tangent to a circle, (as in B, Figure 4*,)
or a piece of metal running round the spokes, (as in D, Figure 4º).
The axle-tree of the carriage I make of tubing or hollow metal; and
shoulders for the wheels to bear against, sockets for the wheels to
run on, and squares for the springs or spring flaps to lie on, are
moulded from a pattern, and, the tubular arm being laid in a channel
crossing the mould, metal is poured therein, and on cooling adheres
to the tubular axle-arm. I do not confine myself to this method of
coating, as I also make such shoulder, socket, and square of wrought
iron or steel, welded, brazed, or screwed on the tubular axle, or affixed
by such known means usually, employed in joining metals.
The springs of the carriage I curve into a worm, (as in Figures 8,
and 9,) which will act as a spring, as well as partake of the power
of the wedge or incline. These springs are more economical in regard
to first cost and durability than the carriage springs as now made.
These springs are attached to a round piece of metal in the hole A,
Figure 9, if made singly, or they may be curved round the axle-tree.
Or I use that description of spring known as "Paradis's Patent."
The hole in the centre of the stock or nave of the wheel I line

page_text: with iron or other metal, and I therein place a piece of tubular sulphur-
ized India-rubber, leather, or gutta percha, to revolve round the axle, or
flat bands of the same material, turned round to follow the circular form
of the hole in the stock; and in those pieces of sulphurized India-
rubber, leather, or gutta percha, I place one or more pieces of spring
steel, or flat pieces of steel, tempered and curved, to follow the shape of
the inside of the stock and the axle-arm; this, acting on the axle-arm,
and bearing on the India-rubber, leather, or gutta percha, causes the
steel to spring and sink into the India-rubber, leather, or gutta percha,
and renders the whole extremely durable, as well as more light and
economical, on account of speed in workmanship, than the ordinary
iron or steel box. Or I groove the box of the wheel, or make it larger
in the centre, and insert therein buffalo horn, formed to a circular hole
for the axle to revolve in.
The shafts I also form of tubings or hollow metal, bent into a
curved form or straight, as best adapted to the cart or carriage for
which they are intended. I also make the upright bearing framework,
and those parts that hitherto were the timbers of the carriage, of tubing
or hollow metal; and the other parts of the carriage I make of sheet
iron and other metal, and sheet metals combined with wood, leather, or
other material, and curved into forms to impart sufficient strength to
the carriage.
Any of the parts of the Invention above described I use in making
trucks, vans, carts, children's carriages, and in making and repairing
all kinds of locomotives, and carriages to run on common roads.
To prevent vibration in any of the tubular parts of the carriage, I
fill such parts with shavings of wood, paper, or any material adapted
for such purpose.
The seat for the fare, or bottom, or foot boards, in that description
of hackney carriage known as "Davis's measuring and indicating
Cab," I make to lift or rise in the section of a circle, by means of
hinges, or a similar contrivance at the back or side of the seat or foot-
board, which is retained in its highest position when the cab is not
engaged, by springs underneath, or curved door springs within the
hinges, or a piece of India-rubber pulling the seat upwards by tension.
To the seat or footboard thus contrived is attached a line or chain

page_text: that connects with the pulley or grooved wheel above the indicator,
and on the fare engaging the cab, and being seated therein, causes the
seat or board to be depressed in a curve, and thus turn the pulley or
grooved wheel of the indicator, and brings the index to "0," and shows
the amount of the engagement fare in the opening on the face of the
instrument, precisely similar to the plan in the measuring and indicating
cabs that operation having been performed by the driver turning a
handle on taking up his fare. But as it often occurs that a fare leaves
the cab previously to its final discharge; therefore, to prevent the seat
rising in such cases, and thus throwing the fare-wheel work out of gear,
a piece is attached to the door in such manner that when the door opens
the piece attached thereto shall pass over the highest parts of the foot-
board or seat, and thus depress it, or keep it depressed. If the cab is
discharged, then, on the door being closed, the seat rises, ready for the
operation to be repeated by the next fare.
To the driver's seat, I attach, when required, a frame of wire tube to
slide on or in the tubes or upright bearings of the seat. This frame
work is glazed, and is made to fall or let down on the seat for the
driver to sit over. In stormy or cold weather this seat can be raised,
and, by bolts or any other convenient means, kept at sufficient height
tor the driver to sit under. This contrivance is also applicable to gigs
and other open carriages; the frame-work may be filled also with
leather, or any water-proof material. Near the driver's seat, or at any
convenient part of the carriage, a stove, or recptacle for fire or gas, or
any material that generates caloric or heat, may be placed; and by an
opening in any tube of which the upper carriage is composed, heated
air or steam may be conveyed or flow up the tubular portion of the
upper carriage, and, by valves and thermometers, may be regulated to
any required temperature.
Some other locomotive purposes to which parts of this Invention are
applicable are the wheels for portable locomotive platforms, for viewing
public exhibitions, and portable locomotive scaffolding for building and
other
purposes. The framework I make of tubing, formed by screwing
and bracing together, and joining by the bends, elbows, crosses, and tees
used in joining and diverting the direction of gas-barrelling.
The wheels of the Invention are also applicable to the construction

page_text: of locomotive portable machines or ladders for facilitating the escape
of persons from fire, and the conveyance of property from fire; the
sides of the ladder being of tube, may be made of any desired
height, by slipping lengths or tiers of the ladder one over the other,
and bracing these lengths one to the other, as represented in A, A,
Figure 18; the ends of the ladder B, B, serve as a pair of shafts, to
harness a horse therein by setting the ladder on the ground, on the
feet or shafts, and against a wall, the wheels will revolve without being
in contact from the extremities of their circles with any resistance from
the ground. To the top tier of the machine or ladder is attached a
wheel or pulley, around which a line passes, which extends to and
passes round one of the wheels at bottom. To the line a carriage or
basket is attached. The sides of the ladder serving as a tram or
railroad, and the bottom wheel being turned, will cause the carriage or
basket to ascend or descend to the height of any window or desired
place. To give additional strength for the conveyance of heavy goods
down the ladder or machine, and prevent it from bending, to some
of the tiers are attached cross-pieces to support the ladder at various
parts between the bottom and top tier. I also make the ladder of this
machine of wood, divided into tiers as above described, and on the ends
of each tier I affix tubes or hollow pieces of metal to bear and fit on
the tier next below, and clipped or braced thereto.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
of performing the same, I claim,-
First, the method herein described of making the spokes of the
wheels of tube or hollow metal, for carriages drawn by horses and
trucks, barrows, and children's carriages, drawn by hand, on common
roads, and also such spokes combined with bands of hollow metal, flat
sided or curved, as herein described.
Second, the application of such bands to railroad caariages and
locomotives, as herein described.
Third, the making of the wheels to traverse silently, by the application
of bands of India-rubber or other materials, as herein described.
Fourth, the construction of tubular axles with cast bearings for
wheels to run on, and squares for clips and springs also cast thereto,

page_text: as herein described, for carriages and locomotives to run on common
roads, in combination with the wheels, as above described.
Fifth, the method of lubricating the axle, as herein described.
Sixth, the making of the body of a carriage of tubing, in combination
with the wheels, as above described.
Seventh, the application of flock, or any. similar soft economical
material, between the India-rubber and metal, as above described.
Eighth, the use of the parts I claim as new, in repairing.carriages
and other locomotives for running on common roads, as herein described.
Ninth, the use of the wheels for platforms and scaffolding, herein
described.
Tenth, the use of the wheels for portable locomotive fire-escapes as
herein described.
I do not claim the making of a carriage body of fubing (except
in combination with the wheels, as above described), nor any of the
various parts not inserted in my list of claim; nor the application of
any of the herein described parts (excepting the India-rubber and
iron bands of the wheels) to railway locomotives; nor the application
of tubes of India-rubber inflated with air and enclosed in leather
casing; nor the application of layers of India-rubber between canvass,
as described in a Patent granted to R. W. Thompson in December
1845.
In witness whereof, I, the said Marcus Davis, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Twenty-ninth day of January in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
M. DAVIS (rs)