CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PASSENGER AND OTHER CARRIAGES
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Burch, of Crag Hall, near Maccles
field, in the County of Chester, Carpet Manufacturer, for the
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PASSENGER AND OTHER
CARRIAGES."
Sealed the 2nd April 1853, and dated the 24th December 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Burch at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 24th December 1852.
I, JOSEPH BURCH, of Crag Hall, in the County of Chester, Carpet
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PASSENGER AND OTHER CARRIAGES" to be
as follows:-
The nature of my Invention consists in the use of 2 wheel
carriages jointed together at the centre of the end of each by a
vertical hinge, so that a train of two or more may be used on
common roads, and if for passenger carriages, each carriage body
may be a separete class; the object obtained is the capability of
using large wheels whereby the draught is considerably lightened,

page_text: and the small front wheels and revolving frames of ordinary four
wheel carriages are by this arrangement rendered unnecessary.
It also consists in shaping the jointed ends of carriages in order
to admit of their being turned upon the road, the arrangements for
roof and inside passengers, and the general combination.
It also consists in suspending carriages from the axle by means
of spiral or india rubber springs, and using horizontal drawing links
connecting the axle with the frame of the carriage, for the purpose
of removing the strain from the springs, and not disturbing their
vertical position or action.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, filed by the said Joseph Burch in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 24th June 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOSEPH BURCH, of Crag Hall, near Macclesfield, in the County of
Chester, Carpet Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by
Her Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of Decem-
ber, 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 Joseph Burch
Her special licence that I, the said Joseph Burch, my executors, ad-
ministrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph Burch
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
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PASSENGER AND OTHER CARRIAGES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Joseph Burch, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly

page_text: describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
inanner the saine 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 Joseph Burch, do hereby de-
clare 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 nature of my Invention consists in the peculiar mode of
constructing two wheel carriages with bevel ends, and jointing the
bodies of such carriages together at the centre of each bevel end
by a joint or hinge fixed at the bottom or floor, and a peculiar form
of hinge or attachment fixed in the centre at the upper part of the
carriage bodies. By this arrangement a train of two or more wheel
carriages may be used on common roads, and when for passenger
traffic, being separate and distinct carriages, I propose to fit them
up internally, suitable for the accommodation of different class
passengers. The advantage to be derived from this arrangement is
the capability of using large wheels to both carriages, whereby the
draught is considerably lightened on ordinary roads, the perfect
division of the different class passengers effected. The form of the
jointing ends of these two wheel carriages are not square, but fall
away from the centre on each side at a suitable angle, in order to
admit of turning, and when a train consists of three or more
carriages, the centre carriages of such trains must be bevilled and
jointed at both ends.
My Invention also consists in the use of doors placed at the
bevelled or jointed ends of two wheel carriages, so as to divide such
carriages, distinguish the accommodation of each, and prevent com-
munication when such carriages are jointed together.
It also consists in the use of a circular platform or step placed
underneath, attached to and projecting from the end of one carriage
at a convenient distance between the floor of such carriage and the
ground, so as to form a step into both carriages when jointed
together, and in the use of supporting brackets attached to the

page_text: under part of the under carriage, upon which the circular platform
rests, and slides when the train is turning.
It also consists in the use of an upper or roof hinge, or attach-
ment, which possesses a transverse lateral action, for the purpose of
allowing the wheels of each carriage to adjust themselves to any
road which has an unlevel or undulating surface, and in the use of
an universal joint for the bottom or floor hinge, or attachment.
My Invention also consists in the use of seats along the roofs of
two wheel carriages when jointed together, and fixing an awning
over such carriages to protect outside passengers from the rain, &c.
It also consists in the use of a series of vertical steel, india rubber,
or other springs across the carriage, between the axle tree and the
carriage body, and using horizontal drawing links for connecting
and transmitting the draft from the carriage body to the axle, and
also for the purpose of preventing any lateral strain upon the
vertical springs.
I will now further describe my Invention by letters of reference
to the Drawing. Figure 1, is the side elevation of a train of two
carriages, first and second class, jointed together; Figure 2, roof
plan of Figure 1; Figure 3, inverted plan of Figure 1; Figure 4,
sectional plan shewing the interior of two carriages (first and
second class), which are jointed together; Figure 5, end elevation
of a last carriage; Figure 6, front elevation of a front carriage;
Figure 7, transverse section of a two wheel carriage; Figure 8,
plan and section of an axle tree fitted with vertical springs and
horizontal drawing links; Figure 9, end view of Figure 8.
A 1, is the front two wheel second class carriage; A 2, is the
back two wheel first class carriage; B 1, is the bottom hinge by
which they are jointed together; this must have a more general
action than a common hinge, and should be a kind of universal
joint. The upper hinge B2, must be constructed so as to allow of
the working of the carriage as it passes over an uneven road. This,
as shewn in the Drawing, may be effected by making the eye of
the hinge a transverse slot so as to admit of a lateral action, or a
short connecting rod may be used for the same purpose. C 1, is a

page_text: the entrance into the second class carriage, and C 2, the entrance
into the first class; L, doors to the first class carriage; D, a
circular platform, forming steps on both sides into either carriage;
it is fixed only to the end of one carriage, and projects from and
works under the other carriage when the train is turning. d¹,
supporting brackets upon which the platform slides; E, E, E, E,
wheels, all large; F, fixed awnings; f¹, pedestals for supporting
the awnings; f2, foot boards; G, driving box; H, roof seats;
I, an arrangement of vertical springs upon an axle tree; K,
drawing link.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and a way
in which it can be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do
not claim as my Invention the construction of double bodied four
wheel carriages with central joints when such carriages have no
division or central end doors between them, excepting when such
carriages are jointed together by the peculiar style of hinge or
attachment I have described, and that I do not confine myself to
the use of any particular material for the construction of such
carriages or parts thereof, nor to any exact form or dimensions so
long as the peculiar character of my Invention be retained; and
what I claim as my Invention is,-
First, I claim the mode of constructing and jointing together
distinct two wheel first and second class carriages, with central
end fixings or attachments, for such like purposes as are herein
described.
Secondly, I claim for the use of central end doors in united two
wheel carriages, and the use of a circular platform or steps on each
side for such like purposes as are herein described.
Thirdly, I claim for the use of seats upon and along the roof of
two wheel carriages which are jointed together, and covering the
roofs of such carriages with an awning as described.
Fourthly, I claim for the use of universal joints and transverse
lateral action attachments, in connection with the union or jointing
together of two wheel carriages; and,
Fifthly, I claim the mode of using horizontal drawing links, rods,

page_text: or chains, in connection with verticle springs for the purposes
herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Burch, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of June,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-three.
Witness,
B. GOBEY,
12, Cursitor Street,
JOSEPH BURCH. (L.S.)
.
Chancery Lane, London.