IMPROVEMENTS IN VANS OR VEHICLES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Bray, junior, of Deptford, in the County of
Kent, and Charles Stennett Jackson, of High Street, Borough, in the County
of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VANS OR VEHICLES."
Sealed the 6th May 1879, and dated the 19th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Bray and Charles
Stennett Jackson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th
November 1878.
GEORGE BRAY, junior, of Deptford, in the County of Kent, and CHARLES
STENNETT JACKSON, of High Street, Borough, in the County of Surrey. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN VANS OR VEHICLES."
Our Invention has for its object the construction of a van or vehicle, whereby
same can be used for street watering or any other suitable purposes, or as a slop
van or vehicle, which can be tipped.
In carrying out our Invention we adopt mainly the following arrangements
The body of the vehicle is mounted on wheels, the hind wheels being carried by
an axle so formed as to rise perpendicularly, passing over the body of the vehicle.
The body of the vehicle is suspended on centres, pins, or bolts. The body is
attached to a frame, same being carried by the springs. The body of the vehicle
when tipped falls or tips between the axle and frame.
When used as a watering van or for other purposes catches are provided which
attach the body to the frame, holding same in the required position. For watering
purposes an opening is provided under the body to which the distributor is attached,
this opening when not used for such purposes being plugged.
'
The distributor for the watering arrangements is not attached by bolt, but
preferably by means of socket joint. To the body, when required, such as when

page_text: water is contained in the vehicle, a top or cover is provided which can, when
necessary, be taken off. To the said top, for watering purposes, we provide a stop
valve, which closes the opening in the van or vehicle, and being attached thereto
same is removed with the top. Generally we use a spring constructed in what is
termed a "dummy" form made of T or angle iron. The said spring in the centre 5
is bolted to the axle before described, the ends sliding on pins or bolts attached to
the frame; and between the frame and "dummy," and around the said pins or bolts,
spriral, rubber, or other springs are placed, which, by their elasticity, hold the
vehicle in place and the sides of the axle perpendicular. Guides are also provided
attached to the frame which also serve to keep the sides of the axle perpendicular. 1
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Bray and Charles Stennett Jackson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 19th May 1879.
"IM-
GEORGE BRAY, junior, of Depford, in the County of Kent, and CHARLES
STENNETT JACKSON, of High Street, Borough, in the County of Surrey.
PROVEMENTS IN VANS OR VEHICLES."
Our Invention has for its object the construction of a van or vehicle, whereby
same can be used for street watering or any other suitable purposes, and as a van
or vehicle which can be tipped.
In carrying out our Invention we adopt substantially the following arrange-
ments:
The body of the vehicle is mounted on wheels, the hind wheels being carried by
an axle so formed as to rise perpendicular, passing over said body.
The body is suspended on centres, pins, or bolts, and is attached to the frame,
being carried by the springs.
The body of the vehicle when tipped falls or tips between the axle and frame.
When used as a watering van or for other purposes catches are provided which
attach the body to the frame, holding same in the required position. For watering
purposes an opening or openings is or are provided under the body to which the
distributor is attached, the opening or openings when the van is not used for such
purposes being plugged. The distributor for tlie watering arrangements is not
attached by bolts but by means of socket joint or other analogous contrivance. To
the body, when required, such as when water is contained in the vehicle, a top or
cover is provided which can, when necessary, be taken off. To the said top (for
watering purposes) we provide stop valves which close the openings in the van or
vehicle, and being attached to said top, same are removed with the top. Generally
we use a spring constructed in what is termed a "dummy" form, made of T or
angle iron. The said spring in the centre is bolted to the axle before described, the
end's sliding on pins or bolts attached to the frame; and between the frame and
dummy," and around said pins or bolts, spiral, rubber, or other springs are placed
'

page_text: which by their elasticity hold the vehicle in place and the sides of the axle perpen-
dicular. Guides are also provided attached to the frame, which also serve to keep
the sides of the axle perpendicular.
Fig. 1, side elevation of our improved. van or vehicle.
Fig. 2, plan of framing showing rods or levers, or what are termed "trap stick
gear.
Fig. 3, side view of false boards which are applied to the vehicle when used as a
dust or slop van.
Fig. 4, part side and end views of end board.
Fig. 5, side elevation showing false boards applied and as fitted for dust
purposes; the framing and levers are not shown.
Fig. 6, end view of vehicle showing the application for watering purposes.
Fig. 7, part view of top showing valves attached.
Fig. 8, view of spring constructed on the "dummy" form.
In all these Figures,―
A represents the body of the van or vehicle; B, false boards; C, sockets or
brackets on body (A); D, end boards; E, axle carrying hind wheels E¹, said axle
being of the form shown so as to pass over the body A of the van or vehicle; E³,
guides for the purpose of keeping the sides of the axle E perpendicular; F, centres
on which the body (A) is suspended, same being attached by pins, bolts, or rods to
the framing G of the van or vehicle; H, H¹, H³, rods and arms (which we term
"trap stick gear") running the two sides and front of the van or vehicle. The rod H
is attached at one end to an arm or handle J worked preferably with a spring j,
which at the other end is secured to a rod or arm K attached to the frame G by
pin h, as shown. The arm H¹ is also provided with arm or rod K' which is likewise
attached to the frame G by pin h', as shown, and is actuated by said handle J.
The lower part of each of the rods K, K¹, is provided with a groove or projection L
forming catches so as to pass under a projection on the body A on each side of the
vehicle to hold it in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5. When the handle J is
pulled to the position shown by dotted lines the catches are withdrawn from under
the projections, thus releasing the body A, which can then be tipped as required,
and as shown by dotted lines, Fig. 1. The van or vehicle can be applied for
watering streets, as shewn in Fig. 6. When so applied the body A'is covered over
by suitable covering. Openings are provided in the body to which, by screw
connection, is attached the distributor M', which is secured, not as in the ordinary
manner by bolt, but by socket joints, shown at n, Fig. 6. The openings M. are
governed by valves N, Fig. 7, said valves being actuated by the driver in the
ordinary way. The distributor we prefer to be plugged in the centre so that the
driver can, by opening one valve, distribute through only one half of the distributor;
or he can open both valves and distribute through the whole length of the same.
Fig. 5 shows the van or vehicle when adapted for dust purposes. When so used
the distributor is removed and the openings M. plugged or stopped. The covering
to the van or vehicle is also removed with the valves. The false boards B are by
the pins or projections then inserted in the brackets or sockets C fixed on body,
and end boards D are substituted and arranged as shown in Fig. 5, the end boards D
being provided with hooks or catches to hold false boards B in position. For slop
purposes the end boards D may be removed and the false boards B turned down.
When the van or vehicle is required to be tipped all that is required is to actuate
the handle or lever J, thus releasing the catches L which hold the vehicle in its
normal position, and so the body A is turned on the centres F between the framing G
of the vehicle.
Fig. 8 represents the form we use for "dummy" spring, which is made of Tor
angle iron. Under the body A of the van or vehicle are attached pins or

page_text: .
projections on which the T or angle iron P is placed. The centre of the angle
iron is bolted or secured to the axle, and around the pins or projections, and between
the body A and the T or angle iron P, spiral or other springs are placed. By this
arrangement of spring the axle is maintained in its perpendicular position, and the
guides E2 may or may not be dispensed with as required. Ordinary springs may
however be used with our van or vehicle if thought advantageous.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of our
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or put in practice,
we hereby declare that we claim the combinations or arrangements constituting the
Invention of "Improvements in Vans or Vehicles," substantially as herein before set
forth and described, and particularly,-
(1.) The axle E, as combined and used substantially as herein described.
2. The application and arrangements of the valves to the top capable of removal
at pleasure.
3. The application or arrangements for holding and releasing the body A and
the centres on which the body is suspended, combined, and used, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, we, the said George Bray, junior, and Charles Stennett
Jackson, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Nineteenth day of
May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
Witness,
T. MORGAN,
21, Cockspur Street,
Charing Cross,
S.W.
GEORGE BRAY, JN.
(L.S.)
CHARLES STENNETT JACKSON. (L.S.)