IMPROVEMENTS IN SEATS FOR THE OUTSIDE OF RAIL OR TRAM CARS OMNIBUSES STEAM BOATS AND SUCH LIKE
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Walker of Newington Green Road in the
County of Middlesex for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEATS FOR THE
OUTSIDE OF RAIL OR TRAM CARS OMNIBUSES STEAM BOATS AND SUCH LIKE
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Walker at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th April 1883.
WILLIAM WALKER of Newington Green Road in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEATS FOR THE OUTSIDE OF RAIL OR TRAM-CARS OMNIBUSES
STEAM BOATS AND SUCH LIKE
"
This invention has for its object improvements in seats for the outside of rail
or tram-cars omnibusses steam boats and such like.
For the outside seats of tram cars omnibusses and such like where there are
usually two rows of seats back to back each capable of seating a number of persons
instead of having as is now usual one long cushion for each long sent I divide
each such seat into a number of divisions one for each person by means of low cross
partitions standing up from them-each division may be provided with a separate
cushion or used without any cushion as desired. I also provide each division of
the sent with a hinged back which shall close down by its own weight whenever
that part of the seat is not occupied and shall then form a cover or shutter to shield
the seat from rain.
The hinges for each cover 1 form of two short arms standing up a short distance
above the back end of the cover and each made at its upper end either to form or
to embrace a short length of tube. The two tubes carried by the two arms are
parallel and in a line with one another and through them is passed a fixed rod
When there are two rows of seats
which forms the pin or pivot of the hinge.
back to back as above explained one fixed rod may be made to carry the covers of
two seats one of each row. By forming the hinges in this way the weight of each
back or cover will always be in front of the pivot of the hinge when the back is
turned up and will consequently always tend to again turn the back down when-
ever the sent is unoccupied. When the backs or covers are raised they are

page_text: prevented from being turned back too far by the upper part of the cover coming
against a rail fixed centrally between the two rows of seats and parallel with
them.
Along the top of each of the partitions which stand up between the several
cushions I form a groove to serve as a gutter.
When the backs or covers of the seats on either side of the partitions are turned
down so as to cover the seats their side edges would partly over lap these gutters.-
Any rain falling on to the cover when it is closed down would flow off from it at
the back or front or sides. Any water running off at the sides would run into
the gutters above mentioned and would be conveyed away along them without
being able to gain access to the seat or cushions. Any rain passing off at the back
edges of the covers might also be conveyed away along a gutter provided for the
A slight groove is also formed across the under side of each back or cover
at short distance from its back and front edges. This prevents rain from running
back along the underside of the cover and so getting to the seat or the cushion
placed upon it. Fillets or strips may likewise be fixed to the underside of thic
covers along their two side edges to come at the sides of the partitions when the
covers are turned down,
pur ore.
In a similar manner to that above described the several seats on the deck of a
steam boat may be kept perfectly dry when unoccupied as when the scats are
unoccupied the backs close down of themselves and then exclude all access of rain
to the seats as above explained.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Walker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th September 1883.
WILLIAM WALKER of Newington Green in the County of Middlesex " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SEATS FOR THE OUTSIDE OF RAIL OR TRAM CARS, OMNIBUSES, STEAM
BOATS, AND SUCH LIKE
"
This invention has for its object improvements in or appertaining to the coverings
or outside seats of tram-cars omnibuses boats or other public conveyances or
buildings whereby such seats are protected from the inclemency of the weather
when unoccupied and the invention consists in the first place of the covering for
such seats.
In the British specification of a former Patent granted to George Henry Smith
N° 37267 he described a seat which was according to his invention hinged at the
back and in the vertical position is protected against the rain and when required
for use is brought into an horizontal position.
Now according to my invention the normal position of the seat is horizontal
instead of vertical as shown at A Figure 1 so that when a passenger desires to take

page_text: a seat he raises the covering a to the position shown at B which by gravity will
descend to its normal position when the seat is unoccupied and at such an angle
that the rain or other moisture is thereby readily carried away and the frame b
upon which the lids or coverings a. a. abut may also be suitably grooved as shown
for the purpose
Figure 2 is a front elevation where one covering is shown in the normal position
and the side ones in the vertical.
The coverings are hinged to a longitudinal shaft c by suitable hinges d. d. or
there may be two shafts as may be desired.
According to another modification the seats e. e. are affixed to their respective
bases ff. and in the normal position are covered by the flap a as shown at A
Figure 3. The said bases or seats f. f. are binged at their front ends and at the
back are capable of being moved a short distance so that when a passenger sits
thereon the connecting rod g is thereby pulled down and its clamp h serves to
secure the cover a as shown at B Figure 1 other modifications of which are also
shown at Figs 4 and 5. so that immediately the seat is relieved of the weight, the
cover a is released from the clamp h and then assumes its normal position.
It will be obvious that in the specification before referred to the fact of pulling
down a seat and sitting thereon is apt to trap the apparel of the occupant of the
adjoining seat but according to this invention such disadvantages are obviated.
Seats of the above construction are well adapted for garden seats or the seats of
theatres or other buildings.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my invention and in what
manner the same is or may be advantageously carried into effect I would have it
understood that what I claim is :—
First The attachment of the seat or cushion to the car or other fixture in com-
bination with a movable cover which in its normal position covers the seat set
forth with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
Second-The securing of the seat covering in the vertical position by the weight
of the passengers in and by the means herein set forth and illustrated.
In witness whereof I the said William Walker have hereunto set my hand and
seal this first day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty three.
WM WALKER (L.S.)