IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CARRIAGES FOR USE ON ORDINARY ROADS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Antoine Ripert, of Marseille, in the Department of the
Bouches du Rhône, in the Republic of France, Carriage Builder, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CARRIAGES FOR USE
ON ORDINARY ROADS."
Sealed the 11th October 1878, and dated the 18th April 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Antoine Ripert at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1878.
ANTOINE RIPERT, of Marseille, in the Department of the Bouches du Rhônė, in
the Republic of France, Carriage Builder. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
«
OF CARRIAGES FOR USE ON ORDINARY ROADS."
My Invention relates to a carriage or vehicle having a platform for carrying
passengers with wheels partly hidden within the body, and a pivoting fore
carriage.
My improved construction of carriage is based,--
1º. Upon a novel kind of fore carriage with central traction of the fore carriage.
by the pole.
2°. Upon the steps for mounting on the fore part of the carriage.
3°. Upon the position of the wheels beneath the body.
4°. Upon the arrangements of the underneath of the body of the ironwork and
woodwork.
The accompanying Sheet of Drawing shows a carriage or vehicle embodying my
Invention, Figure No. 1 being a side elevation; Figure No. 2 shewing the under-
neath of the body; Figure No. 3, section of the body at E, F; Figure No. 4, section
of the body at G, H; Figure No. 5, plan view of the fore carriage; and Figure
No. 6, elevation of fore carriage.
My new kind of fore carriage, pivoting on the spot, as in ordinary vehicles, is
shaped so as to permit the springs to be placed upon it as well as a ring or wheel
:

page_text: plate of large diameter, giving great stability to the carriage, making it difficult to
upset, and ensuring its strength. The pieces u, u, on each side of the fore carriage
(Fig. 5) are raised in part, following any desired curve; this arrangement facilitates
the compression or plunging of the springs in order that the axle, which is placed
above the said springs, does not touch in jolting or if the carriage is overladen.
The splinter bar T may be either straight or curved.
The pole Z carries the splinter bar T with its two moveable swingle trees for
harnessing the horses to the carriage; it is held to the fore carriage by two splinter
bars; the end is fixed to the said fore carriage by the iron clip S, which secures
the central traction of the fore carriage by the pole, and thereby relieves the horses
from at least thirty per cent. of the traction of a vehicle of ordinary construction.
2°. My improved step X, which may be made of various shapes, placed on each
side and in front of the vehicle permits the fore carriage to pivot, by permitting
the pole to pass between this said step and the underneath of the body or platform;
may also place steps fitted to the fore carriage.
I
3°. The wheels of this vehicle are partly hidden in the body, and are beneath
the seats without inconveniencing the passengers. The wheels of the fore carriage,
although partly hidden in the body, move around the pivot of the fore carriage,
termed the pole, pin, or bolt, and move freely, which permits the fore carriage to
turn to 45 degrees, so that the vehicle may be turned in narrow streets and ways
where an ordinary omnibus or tram car of the same dimensions could not be turned.
Although the vehicle may be only raised 0.65° above the ground, the fore wheels
will have a diameter of 0-80° and the hind wheels a diameter of one meter. I need
scarce observe that the height of the vehicle from the ground and the diameter of
the wheels is optional.
I would have it understood that if the two wheels of the fore carriage, or the
two hind wheels were lower than the bottom of the body, and that either by reason
of the load or from the compression or plunging of the springs it became necessary to
make openings in the bottom of the body, in order to allow the wheels the necessary
play in their upper parts, so that they do not come against the bottom of the body
either of a close or an open carriage, this arrangement would come under my
Invention ; the openings made in the bottom of the body of the vehicle may
remain open or be closed, or covered by casings or boxes, which I may make of any
shape in wood or metal; in the two aforesaid carriages the top of the opening may
be closed by the seats and the sides by planks.
4°. As regards the arrangements beneath the body, in consequence of the width
of the body which exceeds that of the rolling parts, the false guides M, M, N, N,
secured by their ends to strong cross pieces permit the placing of the fore carriage
as well as the springs of the hind carriage. The false guides at the back have a
raised part, as shown in dotted lines at Figure 1, which may be obtained by a
curve or in any other way and of any shape; this arrangement affords the same
advantages as regards the compression or plunging of the springs as the pieces U, U,
above mentioned. I may, if required, place the said false guides M, M, upon the
cross pieces at their ends in straight or curved pieces, which would give the same
result as above described.
The cross piece P is secured at its end by iron ties R, shaped like stirrups, but
which may be of any suitable shape resting upon the outer side pieces; the form of
these iron ties R gives passage to the front wheels when the fore carriage pivots,
they strengthen the bottom of the vehicle and prevent all vibration.
Instead of one cross piece I may place two or more parallel thereto, and held
or not at their ends by ties R; or in lieu of one or more parallel cross pieces P
I may use two crossed like X, having for point of intersection the centre of the ring
or wheel plate above the fore carriage which would give great strength to the
bottom of the body, which is cut by the passage for the wheels.
5°. The springs of the hind carriage with their ironwork and fastenings may be
placed either under the false guides M, M, or under cross pieces.

page_text: If the body of a close or of an empty carriage is greatly extended in order to
carry a greater number of passengers, it would be necessary in order to strengthen
the under part of the body to place two parallel cross pieces instead of one, O, upon
which the false guides M, M, N, N, would rest.
c
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Antoine Ripert in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th October
1878.
ANTOINE RIPERT, of Marseille, in the Department of the Bouches du Rhône, in
the Republic of France, Carriage Builder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF CARRIAGES FOR USE ON ORDINARY ROADS."
My Invention relates to a carriage or vehicle having a platform for carrying
passengers, with wheels partly hidden within the body, and a pivoting fore
carriage.
My improved construction of carriage is based,--
1°. Upon a novel kind of fore carriage with central traction of the fore carriage
by the pole.
2. Upon the steps for mounting on the fore part of the carriage.
3. Upon the position of the wheels beneath the body.
4. Upon the arrangements of the underneath of the body of the ironwork and
the woodwork.
1
The accompanying Sheet of Drawing shows a carriage or vehicle embodying my
Invention, Figure No. 1 being a side elevation; Figure No. 2, shewing the under-
neath of the body; Figure No. 3, section of the body at E, F; Figure No. 4, section
of the body at G, H; Figure No. 5, plan view of the fore carriage; and Figure
No. 6, elevation of fore carriage.
My new kind of fore carriage pivoting on the spot, as in ordinary vehicles, is
shaped so as to permit the springs to be placed upon it as well as a ring or wheel
plate, of large diameter, giving great stability to the carriage, making it difficult to
upset, and ensuring its strength. The pieces U, U, on each side of the fore carriage
(Figure 5) are raised in part, following any desired curve; this arrangement
facilitates the compression or plunging of the springs, in order that the axle, which,
placed above the said springs, does not touch in jolting or if the carriage is
overladen.
The splinter bar T may be either straight or curved.
The pole Z carries the splinter bar T with its two moveable swingie trees for
Jarnessing the horses to the carriage, it is held to the fore carriage by two splinter
bars; the end is fixed to the said fore carriage by the iron clip S, which secures
the central traction of the fore carriage by the pole, and thereby relieves the horses
from at least thirty per cent. of the traction of a vehicle of ordinary construction.
2° My improved step x, which may be made of varicus shapes placed on
on cach

page_text: side and in front of the vehicle, permits the fore carriage to pivot by permitting the
pole to pass between the said step and the underneath of the body or platform; I
may also place steps fitted to fore carriage.
3°. The wheels of this vehicle are partly hidden in the body and are beneath the
seats, without inconveniencing the passengers. The wheels of the fore carriage,
although partly hidden in the body, move around the pivot of the fore carriage,
termed the pole pin or bolt, and move freely, which permits the fore carriage to
turn to 45 degrees, so that the vehicle may be turned in narrow streets and ways
where an ordinary omnibus or tram car of the same dimensions could not be
turned.
Although the vehicle may be only raised 0.65° above the ground the fore wheels
will have a diameter 0-800, and the hind wheels a diameter of one meter; I need
scarce observe that the height of the vehicle from the ground and the diameter of
the wheels is optional.
.
I would have it understood that if the two wheels of the fore carriage or the
- two hind wheels were lower than the bottom of the body, and that either by reason
of the load or from the compression or plunging of the springs, it became necessary
to make openings in the bottom of the body in order to allow the wheels the
necessary play in their upper parts, so that they do not come against the bottom of
the body either of a close or an open carriage; this arrangement would come under
my Invention, the openings made in the bottom of the body of the vehicle may
remain open or be closed, or covered by casings or boxings, which I may make of
any shape in wood or metal; in the two aforesaid carriages the top of the opening
may be closed by the seats and the sides by planks.
4°. As regards the arrangements beneath the body, in consequence of the width
of the body which exceeds that of the rolling parts, the false guides M, M, N, N,
secured by their ends to strong cross pieces permit the placing of the fore carriage
as well as the springs of the hind carriage. The false guides at the back have a
raised part, as shown in dotted lines at Figure 1, which may be obtained by a
curve or in any other way and of any shape; this arrangement affords the same
advantages as regards the compression or plunging of the springs, as the pieces U, U,
above mentioned. I may, if required, place the said false guides M, M, upon the
cross pieces at their ends in straight or curved pieces which would give the same
result, as above described.
The cross piece P is secured at its end by iron ties R, shaped like stirrups, but
which may be of any suitable shape, resting upon the outer side pieces; the form
of these iron ties R gives passage to the front wheels when the fore carriage pivots,
they strengthen the bottom of the vehicle and prevent all vibration.
Instead of one cross piece PI may place two or more parallel thereto, and held
or not at their ends by ties R; or in lieu of one or more parallel cross pieces P
I may use two crossed like X, having for point of intersection the centre of the ring
or wheel plate above the fore carriage, which would give great strength to the bottom
of the body which is cut by the passage for the wheels.
5°. The springs of the hind carriage with their ironwork and fastenings may be
'placed either under the false guides M, M, or under cross pieces.
If the body of a close or of an open carriage is greatly extended, in order to carry
a greater number of passengers, it would be necessary in order to strengthen the
under part of the body to place two parallel cross pieces instead of one, O, upon
which the false guides M, M, N, N, would rest.
Each of the parts, or parts of them, or the entire arrangement, may be made of
wood or of metal, and of shapes and dimensions suitable to the vehicle for which
they are fitted.
The construction of my improved carriage differs from all previous constructions,
inasmuch that it combines for the first time a slight elevation of the body,
facilitating the mounting and dismounting of the travellers, with the advantage of
being able to turn in a very restricted space, advantages hitherto only obtained
separately.

page_text: My improvements may be adapted to cars and passenger carriages of all kinds,
whether private carriages or public vehicles, and whether closed or open.
The upper part of the wheels being under the seats and not outside the body, the
total volume of the carriage does not exceed the dimensions ordinarily given to
omnibuses or tram cars.
Although the weight of the passengers is on the sides of the carriage it will roll
easier than ordinary vehicles. This carriage is very light in proportion to its bulk;
it is suspended upon springs and set upon wheelwrights' wheels; it may be set
upon iron wheels of any kind to run upon rails; the axles may be patent axles,
semi-patent, or of any kind, and it is provided with a powerful brake.
Rolling upon roadways and street pavements, specially intended for passenger
traffic, my carriage gives the convenience of a tramway car by reason of its spacious
interior, its comfort, and the slight elevation which facilitates the ascent and descent
of the passengers.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, I desire it to be understood that
I reserve the right of applying my improvements not only as herein-before set forth,
but for every analagous application, and that I claim as secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent, the placing of the wheels under the body of
the vehicle, together with my improved arrangement of fore carriage which
necessitates a special combination of construction of the ironwork and woodwork,
so that the movements of the wheels are not in any way hindered while the
strength of the vehicle and the safety of the passengers is ensured, substantially as
herein-before described, and illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Antoine Ripert, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
ANTOINE RIPERT. (L.S.)