Improvements in and Connected with Two Wheeled Vehicles..
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in and Connected with Two Wheeled Vehicles..
We MICHAEL JOHN ROWLEY, CHARLES ALEXANDER WHEELER and WILLIAM
GOODMAN HOBILL, all of 14 Blandford Street, Middlesex Engineers, do hereby
declare the nature of our said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED
WITH TWO WHEELED VEHICLES" to be as follows:
The object of our invention is to so arrange apparatus to Hansom and Forder
Cabs and other two wheeled vehicles as to check or retard the progress of the
vebicle and also to shift the balance of the vehicle to suit a light or a heavy driver
said apparatus being available in a combined form or separate, the shifting of the
balance being capable of disconnection from the apparatus for checking purposes so
that either apparatus can be used alone.
For the purpose of our invention we fit break blocks or a single block to one
wheel only, said block being attached to levers leading from a foot plate or it may
be a band lever within reach of the driver so that he may act upon it when
desired, the levers being returned by a spring by which the block is kept from
contact with the wheel.
To shift the balance of the vehicle we fit a sliding seat on or to the seat frame
and by means of a lever the-seat can be slid to the rear, this being assisted by the
driver slightly lifting himself for the purpose.
The break apparatus and the shiftable seat may be connected so that they act
simultaneously or they may be so arranged that each has a separate motion.

page_text: We MICHAEL JOHN ROWLEY, CHARLES ALEXANDER WHEELER and WILLIAM
GOODMAN НOBILL all of 14 Blandford Street, Middlesex Engineers, do hereby
declare the nature of our said 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 our invention is to so arrange apparatus to Hansom and Forder
Cabs as to check or retard the progress of the vehicle and also to shift the balance
of the vehicle to suit a light or a heavy driver said apparatus being available in a
combined form or separate the shifting of the balance being capable of discon-
nection from the apparatus for checking purposes so that either apparatus can be
used alone.
For the purpose of our invention, which will be understood by reference to the
annexed drawings wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a Hansom Cab, we fit
break blocks or a single block A to one wheel B only or it may be to both wheels
said block A being attached to levers C, C, leading from a foot plate D or it may
be a hand lever within reach of the driver so that he may act upon it when desired,
the levers C, C, being returned by a spring E by which the block A is kept from
contact with the wheel B.
To shift the balance of the vehicle (see Figure 2) we fit a loose seat F on or to
the seat frame G and by means of a lever or levers C C the seat can be slid to the
rear into the position shown in dotted lines this being assisted by the driver
slightly lifting himself for the purpose. Instead of the seat F only sliding the
seat and its frame G can be made to slide on the foot board L as at Figure 3.
The break apparatus and the shiftable seat may be connected as represented at
Figure 4 so that they act simultaneously or they may be so arranged that each
has a separate motion but that the driver can operate one or both foot plates at
will.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the sliding seat F shown at Figure 2. The seat
frame G is provided with holes H, H, into which a bolt I fits or drops to hold the
seat F in the position desired.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a similar sliding seat in which the levers C, C,
and foot plate D are dispensed with. Beneath the seat F is a lug or projection J
from which a rod K passes through the back of the seat frame G. The rod K is
surrounded by a spring E which returns the sliding seat F to its normal position
on releasing the bolt I.
We have shown on the annexed drawings our invention as applied to a Hansom
Cab but it is applicable to other two wheeled vehicles in or to which it can be
fitted.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
1. Fitting a sliding seat F as a seat only or the seat F and seat frame G to a
two wheeled vehicle by which the balance of said vehicle can be obtained as
described and substantially as shown in the annexed drawings.
2. Combining a sliding seat mechanism with break mechanism as and for the
purpose set forth.