An Improved Cover or Apron for the Outside Passengers on Vehicles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 1st Sept., 1890-Accepted, 11th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Cover or Apron for the Outside Passengers on
Vehicles.
I, CHARLES BRAWN, of 124 King's Road, Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex,
Clothier, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to so apply the covers or aprons for protecting the
person of outside passengers on vehicles (such as omnibuses and tram-cars) from the
inclemency of the weather, that when not in use they will be kept out of the dirt,
while they will always be in readiness to be drawn over the person when a passenger
requires to use same.
For this purpose 1 mount such apron or cover upon a frame, which is hinged at
its lower end to a point preferably a slight distance above the floor, and opposite the
seat to receive the passenger or passengers it is intended to cover. The top of the
cover or apron preferably extends beyond the top of the frame, over the front of
which it falls when not in use.
When a passenger wishes to use the cover or apron he pulls the frame forward,
causing same to turn on its hinge at the bottom, and thus bring the upper part over
his knees. At same time he can raise the upper part of the cover or apron which
falls over the top of the frame, so that such upper part will cover and protect the
lower part of the body. End straps may be attached to the cover or apron if
necessary, in order to secure same in position when in use.
This improved cover or apron may be applied to vehicles fitted either with garden
seats or with seats placed back to back. In the first case the frame upon which the
cover or apron is mounted will be secured to the back of the seat in front of the one
with which it is to be used, for all but the first seat, for which latter such frame will
be secured to the rails or boards at the front edge of the vehicle. By securing the
hinge upon which the frame turns a short distance above the floor, the passengers
will not be prevented from extending their legs if they wish, as the feet will be able
to pass beneath such frame.
For vehicles in which the seats are arranged back to back the frame of the cover or
apron will be hinged to the rails or boards at each side of the vehicle, and in this
case two, three, or more separate frames will preferably be provided on each side, so
that it will not be necessary to raise the cover or apron from all the other passengers
on the same side, when one passenger wishes to take his place upon or to leave the
vehicle.
When not required to be used, the frame with the cover or apron it carries will be
turned back against the part to which it is hinged, and such hinge may work with
sufficient friction to ensure the frame remaining in the position to which it is moved,
or suitable means may be provided for securing it in such position.
This improved apron or cover will obviate much of the inconvenience and annoyance
resulting from having to handle wet, and frequently dirty, covers or aprons, and which
is certain to occur in the system at present in use, where the covers or aprons are free
to be thrown carelessly about by the passengers after use.
So as to protect the seats when not in use, the frame may be turned down if desired,
and the top of the cover or apron spread over same.
Dated this 20th day of March 1890.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Cover or Apron for the Outside Passengers on
Vehicles.
I, CHARLES BRAWN, of 124 King's Road, Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex,
Clothier, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to so apply the covers or aprons for protecting the
person of outside passengers on vehicles (such as omnibuses and tram-cars) from
the inclemency of the weather, that when not in use they will be kept out of the dirt,
while they will always be in readiness to be drawn over the person when a passenger
requires to use same.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a transverse section of two seats with my invention applied thereto, and
Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of one of such seats.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section of two seats showing a slightly modified form in which
my invention may be applied thereto, and
Fig. 4 is a front elevation of one of such seats.
In carrying out my invention I mount the apron or cover A upon a frame B, which
is hinged or pivoted at its lower end b to a point preferably a slight distance above
the floor C forming the roof the vehicle (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2), and opposite the
seat to receive the passenger or passengers it is intended to cover. The top A of the
cover or apron A preferably extends beyond the top of the frame B, over the front
of which it falls when not in use, as shown on left hand seat of Figs. 1 and 3.
When a passenger wishes to use the cover or apron A, he pulls the frame B forward,
causing same to turn on its hinge or pivot b at the bottom, and thus bring the upper
part over his knees. At same time he can raise the upper part A' of the cover or
apron A which falls over the top of the frame B, so that such upper part A¹ will
cover and protect the lower part of the body, the right hand seats of Figs. 1 and 3
showing the parts in this position. End straps or eyes may be attached to the cover
or apron if necessary, in order to secure the ends in position when in use.
This improved cover or apron may be applied to vehicles fitted either with garden
seats, as shown in the drawings, or with seats placed back to back. In the first case
the frame B upon which the cover or apron A is mounted will preferably be secured
to the back of the seat D in front of the one with which it is to be used (as shown in
Figs. 3 and 4), for all but the first seat, for which latter such frame will be secured
to the rails or boards at the front edge of the vehicle; or instead of being secured to
the back of the seat in front, the frame B may be hinged to the floor in a suitable
position in front of the seat in conjunction with which it is to be used, as shown in
Figs. 1 and 2.
For vehicles in which the seats are arranged back to back the frame B of the cover
or apron A will be hinged to the rails or boards at each side of the vehicle, and in
this case two, three, or more separate frames will preferably be provided on each side,
so that it will not be necessary to raise the cover or apron from all the other passengers
on the same side, when one passenger wishes to take his place upon or to leave the
vehicle.
When not required to be used, the frame B with the cover or apron A it carries
will be turned back against the part to or near which it is hinged or pivoted, as shown
in left hand seats of Figs. 1 and 3, and such hinge or pivot may work with sufficient
friction to ensure the frame B remaining in the position to which it is moved, or
suitable means, such as a button E, may be provided for socuring it in such position.
This improved apron or cover A will obviate much of the inconvenience and
annoyance resulting from having to handle wet, and frequently dirty, covers or aprons,
and which is certain to occur in the system at present in use, where the covers or
aprons are free to be thrown carelessly about by the passengers after use.

page_text: So as to protect the seats D when not in use, the frame B may be turned down if
desired, and the top of the cover or apron A spread over same.
One of the advantages of iny invention is that as the aprons or covers A, whether
in use or not, are always in a position to be exposed to public view, they will afford a
good medium for advertising, and as they are also always supported in the proper
position for exhibiting the advertisements, and are prevented from being thrown
about, such advertisements will not be liable to get damaged or defaced.
It will be readily understood that my invention may also be applied to the seats on
the decks of vessels, or to the outside seats of railway carriages, in cases where same
are employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
Mounting the covers or aprons for the outside seats of vehicles or other con-
veyances, on frames which are pivoted or hinged so that they can be turned in relation
to the seats with which they are to be used, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.