IMPROVEMENTS PERAMBULATORS IN PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS. PATENT to William Henry Brassington of the City of Manchester,
Perambulator Manufacturer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
PERAMBULATORS
IN
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Brassington
at the Office of the Cominissioners of Patents on the 15th March 1883.
WILLIAM HENRY BRASSINGTON of the City of Manchester, perambulator
Manufacturer "IMPROVEMENTS IN PERAMBULATORS
"
The improvements relate to the construction of perambulators, and consist in an
arrangement whereby such can be turned or guided in any direction more readily
than with the ordinary construction
To accomplish this, and to effect my improvements, I substitute for the arms or
carriers of the front wheel or wheels, or it may be for these of the back, a forked
carrier or arm formed for the support of the guiding or steering wheel or wheels.
The upper part of this forked carrier aforesaid is formed with a vertical spindle
fitting into suitable bearings attached to the body of the vehicle or other analogous
device to enable the wheel or wheels to turn about an axis for steering purposes.
This movable wheel carrier may be arranged in use to turn completely round, or
its movement may be restricted to any convenient are of the circle by means of
stops, springs, or other contrivances for such purpose. It may also be formed so
as to allow the horizontal axis of the wheel or wheels to be immediately under-
neath the vertical spindle, or the axis of the wheels may be formed so as to fall
behind or trail after such vertical spindle to give the greatest facility for steering.
In some cases, I eniploy one or two guide rods, which pass underneath the
perambulator, and are attached to the wheel carrier at one end, and at the other to
a steering apparatus formed by means of the handle irons or in connection
therewith, so as to give control of the guiding wheel or wheels.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Henry Brassington in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 14th September 1883.
WILLIAM HENRY BRASSINGTON of the City of Manchester, Perambulator
Manufacturer. ." IMPROVEMENTS IN PERAMBULATORS."
The improvements relate to the construction of perambulators, and consist in an
arrangement whereby such can be turned or guided in any direction more readily
than with the ordinary construction.
To accomplish this, and to effect my improvements, I substitute for the arms or
carriers of the front wheel or wheels, or it may be for those of the back, a forked
carrier or arm formed for the support of the guiding or steering wheel or wheels.
The upper part of this forked carrier aforesaid is formed with a vertical spindle
fitting into suitable bearings attached to the body of the vehicle, or other analogous
device to enable the wheel or wheels to turn about an axis for steering purposes.
This moveable wheel carrier may be arranged in use to turn completely round, or
its movement may be restricted to any convenient arc of the circle by means of
stops, springs, or other contrivances for such purpose. It may also be formed so as
to allow the horizontal axis of the wheel or wheels to be immediately underneath
the vertical spindle, or the axis of the wheels may be formed so as to fall behind or
trail after such vertical spindle, to give the greatest facility for steering.
In some cases. I employ one or two guide rods, which pass underneath the
perambulator and are attached to the wheel carrier at one end, and at the other to
a steering apparatus formed by means of the handle irons; or in connection there-
with, so as to give control of the guiding wheel or wheels. But by preference this
latter arrangement is entirely dispensed with.
But that the improvements may be better understood, I will by the aid of the
accompanying drawings proceed more fully to describe means employed by me.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig 1 is a side elevation, and Fig 2 an end elevation of a. perambulator fitted
with apparatus according to my invention.
a. a is the body of the perambulator, b. b is the forked carrier or arm formed
to support the guiding or steering wheels c, c; which in this case are placed in
front of the vehicle. d. d. is. the vertical spindle, fitting into the bearing e. e.
attached to the body of the vehicle, which spindle d. d. forms the axis around
which the steering wheels are enabled to turn. c. c. is a projecting arm or it may
be arms, for the purpose of preventing the vehicle turning over in case of a collision,
or the steering wheels meeting with a large obstacle when turned to a great angle.
In the example shewn, two wheels are placed on the spindle in front, but it is
.obvious that for the ordinary form of common perambulator a single wheel may be
used, and that the same may also be arranged as following, instead of leading
wheels.
Having now described my improvements, and means I adopt in carrying the
same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the
precise details shewn and described, as variations may be made therein without
departing from the peculiar character of my invention, As for example, the form
or design of the perambulator may be varied, as also the amount of trail in the
steering wheels, and there may be an application or not of guiding or controlling

page_text: rods to such wheels. Nevertheless the latter are entirely unnecessary and form no
part of this my present invention.
But what I do claim is :-
The employment in perambulators of a steering wheel or wheels which turn
upon an axis either in front or rear of the vehicle for the purpose of guiding the
same, and whether such are free to turn a whole circle or a portion thereof,
substantially as shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Brassington, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this twelfth day of September in the year of our
Lord One thousand, eight hundred and eighty-three.
Witness.
WILLIAM GADD
Consulting Engineer
64 Barton Arcade
WILLIAM HENRY BRASSINGTON (L.S.)
Manchester.