Improvements in Omnibuses.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 17th Mar., 1894
L
Improvements in Omnibuses.
I, GEORGE THOMAS BUSKELL of 114 Grove Road, Mile End Road, Bow,-
London, E. Miller and Baker. I do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of road vehicles
commonly known as omnibuses and consists in introducing in the building of these
vehicles such as heretofore carried out, a number of alterations and additions
having for their common object to increase the number of seats as well as to
improve passengers' comfort and to augment by these and other means the yield or
profit to be derived from such vehicles.
In carrying my invention into practice I connect the two front wheels of the
vehicle to a pivoted platform so as to form a bogie by means of which the omnibus
can turn readily in all directions, thus increasing its mobility while casing the
horses' efforts. By. raising the driver's seat I am able to construct a window in
the central part of the front of the vehicle which in combination with two
ventilators at the sides of the omnibus allows a more thorough ventilation of the
interior of the latter. Inside I arrange the seats in successive transverse rows
with a central passage after the manner of what is known as garden seats, with
this exception that the seats are upholstered and provided with springs. By these
means I am able to provide seats for two additional passengers while considerably
increasing the comfort of all the occupants. The platform at the rear of the
vehicle is likewise enlarged while the lower end of the staircase is moved further
off the steps, that is to say is withdrawn towards the right hand or off side. The
top of the vehicle is made somewhat larger than those of the omnibuses now
running, so as to afford accommodation for two more passengers, who occupy seats
of the kind known as garden seats. On each side of the omnibus and at the rear
of each seat is provided a funnel-shaped umbrella stand containing an umbrella of
special make and color so as not to be capable of identification with an ordinary
umbrella and also to prevent its being stolen. On the side of each stand in a plane
with the side or advertisement hoards of the vehicle, is a disc suitably colored and
intended for advertising purposes, a number of similar dises being arranged
vertically on the "off" side between the platform and the top of the omnibus.
The lamp case is placed outside instead of inside as hitherto, when the fumes
arising from the oil was highly distasteful to the passengers. This case which is
locked at the side is provided with a reflector at the back so that the rays of light
may be well diffused through a glass pane into the interior of the vehicle and the
lamp may yield a good light; but I may prefer to illuminate the vehicle with the
electric light by means of a primary or secondary battery or other suitable system.
A strap extends along the roof of the vehicle and leads to a gong placed by the
side of the driver, so that passengers may readily be enabled to enter or alight.
In the accompanying two sheets of illustrative drawings wherein like letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings, Figure 1 is a side
elevation, Figure 2 a central longitudinal section, Figure 3 a front view and
Figure 4 a plan of my improved road vehicle.
According to my invention the front wheels w of the vehicle carry with the aid
of the usual springs, the platform n pivoted at n'. The rear end of the pole is
firmly secured by a screw bolt to the underside of the said platform as clearly
shewn in Figure 2. is the brake for the wheel w³, the rod leading to the treadle
at the bottom of the driver's seat not shown in the drawings; this brake is of

page_text: known construction. The seat is placed much higher than in ordinary road
vehicles for the purpose of enabling the front of the omnibus to be entirely
constructed, as shewn in Figure 3, of glass panes with a sliding window g in the
middle. This window in connection with the ventilating apertures at the top
and in both sides of the vehicle, will promote an efficient circulation of air. The
apertures are covered outside by a deflecting board v. The seats inside the
vehicle are disposed in the manner shewn in Figures 1 & 2, they are provided with
a back and a spring upholstered seat and are arranged in transverse rows leaving a
central passage for traffic. e are curtains for the side panes. The arrangement of
the top of the vehicle is shewn in Figures 2 & 4. Garden seats are used and
owing to the top being wider than generally obtains, room is provided for two
supplementary passengers. At the back of each seat is arranged an umbrella
stand u wherein is placed a regulation umbrella, the stand u¹ being larger as the
umbrella which it carries is intended to cover four passengers instead of two as in
the other cases. bare discs for advertisements along the sides of the top of the
vehicle and above the ordinary advertisment board B. S is the staircase, p the
platform and p¹ the step and from the platform to the top are arranged three more
advertisement discs b fixed to a vertical bar 6. H is the lamp case. The strap a¹
passes inside along the ceiling of the vehicle and leads to the gong a by the side of
the driver's seat.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The improvements in the construction of road vehicles arranged and
constructed substantially as herein described and shewn and for the purpose set
forth.
-
2. In road vehicles, the arrangement on the top of such vehicles of umbrella
stands containing umbrellas, and advertisement discs, substantially as herein
described and shewn and for the purpose set forth.
3. In road vehicles, the arrangement in the interior thereof of transverse
upholstered seats and of a central passage, at the end of which is arranged a
window by means of which an efficient ventilation is obtained in connection with
lateral ventilators, substantially as herein described and shewn.
Dated this 7th day of October 1893.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.