CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CABS OR VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING ON ROADS
Year: 1873

page_text: in the County of Stafford for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CABS OR VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING ON
ROADS" bearing date the 1st day of November 1873 N° 3563.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be
entered by the aforesaid Frederick Forder pursuant to the Statutes in that
case made and provided.
"
WHEREAS Her Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Letters Patent under the Great
Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland bearing date at West-
minster the first day of November in the thirty seventh year of Her Reign did
give and grant unto the said Frederick Forder his executors administrators and
assigns the sole privilege for the term of fourteen years thence next ensuing of
making using exercising and vending within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland the Channel Islands and Isle of Man the said Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CABS OR VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING ON ROADS
AND WHEREAS in pursuance of a proviso in the said Letters Patent contained
the said Frederick Forder did within six calendar months next after the date of
the said Letters Patent cause a Specification or Instrument in writing under his
band and seal purporting to describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention
and in what manner the same was to be performed to be duly filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office and the third year's duty of Fifty pounds and the seventh year's
duty of One hundred pounds have been respectively paid upon the said Letters
Patent as they respectively became due
AND WHEREAS in the course of recent proceedings taken in defence of the
aforesaid Letters Patent it was objected and I have ascertained that at the date of
the Patent it was not new to adapt and apply ventilating apertures to Cabs in
the manner described and claimed in the Specification of the said Patent by reason
of a patent having been previously granted to one John Francis Woodall for
Prins 71

page_text: "
'Improvements in ventilating carriages for common roads" bearing date April
fourth One thousand eight hundred and sixty two N° 951 in the Specification of
which similar arrangements for ventilating carriages were described I am there-
fore desirous of disclaiming such parts of the said Specification (N° 3563 1878) and
of altering or amending the claims therein in the manner hereinafter set forth.
NOW KNOW YE that I the said Frederick Forder by and with the leave of
Her Majesty's Attorney General for the reasons aforesaid do alter and amend the
said Specification in manner following that is to say:
"
I strike out on page 4 on the Queen's Printer's Copy of the said Specification
published at the Great Seal Patent Office in One thousand eight hundred and
seventy three the words "not only " and also the words "but also effects thorough
ventilation on line 7 and on line 8 the words "without draught" and also on the
said page 4 the paragraph which begins with the words "The temperature" on
line 21 and ends with the word "roof" on line 28 of the same page I also strike
out all the words beginning at "c. c are Venetian" which occur on line 20 of page 5
and ending with the word "closed" on line 26 of the same page
I also strike out the words "together with the" which occur on line 13 of page 6
I also strike out the words "novel employment and adaptation thereto of venti-
lating apertures" which occur on line 14 of the same page.
And in order that the effect of the Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration
as aforesaid may be clearly understood I annex hereto a copy of the said
Specification as it will appear when so altered and amended the preamble and
testing clause being omitted.
"The Invention is designed for the purpose of producing a vehicle similar in
"construction to that class of cab known as the "Hansom " the peculiarity of
"which will fit it specially for running over the rough pavements of Cities and
towns or roads adjacent thereto and also giving to the persons occupying such
cab greater comfort and accommodation than "Hansoms" of the ordinary
construction.
"
[
"
"
«
"t
"
"First The improvements relate to the peculiar formation and construction of
"the body and doors of a Cab the design of which makes it internally more
capacious. For this purpose the body of the vehicle is extended in width and
depth over the axle of the carriage and again from the elbow rest out towards
the wheels so as further to extend the width of the upper portion of the cab
giving thereby more room.
The doors of the cab also are formed so as to slant
outwards for a certain distance from the top and then continue their length to
the floor of the Cab in a direction which will form an obtuse angle with the
upper portion of the door but the pillar to which the doors are attached by
hinges projects beyond the line front of the ordinary form of cab both at the
top and bottom. The connection of the doors with the body of the cab is
accomplished by means of projecting binges so arranged that when the doors
are open they will form a shield or projection to the dress or garments of persons
" entering or leaving the Cab
"
"
"
"
"❝
"
"
*
16
Secondly-The improvements relate to the mounting of the body of the Cab
on to the "carriage" of the vehicle by means of springs in the ordinary manner
"with this exception that the coupling of the side springs to the back spring
"under the boot which is made of a stout semi-yielding blade or blades of steel is
accomplished by "robbins" made of leather in lieu of the metal links or shackles
now employed. and stability is given to the whole structure by securing the clips
connecting the springs with the axle through the medium of indented plates
placed over the top surface of the springs in a manner that will connect the two
"bolts of the clip together and which when tightened up will prevent the clips
from slipping on the springs and thus secure axle spring and block like one solid
piece together.
"
64
[f
"In order that the Invention may be better understood and explained in detail

page_text: "I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings made upon a scale of about one
" inch and a quarter to the foot similar letters of reference being marked on
corresponding parts on all the figures alike.
$
"
"
"
Fig 1. represents a longitudinal section of the Cab taken through the line x. x
Fig 2 represents a back elevation of the same. Fig. 3 represents a detached
portion of the front of the Cab. and Figs 4 and 5 enlarged front and end views
"of the couplings of one of the side springs with the back spring or stay under
" the boot.
41
"In these figures a a is the body of the cab the internal capacity of which is
"somewhat larger in width and height than Cabs of the ordinary construction.
b, b, represents a section of one of the doors of the Cab, the formation of which
gives increased knee room for the occupant when closed as seen in Fig. 3 in
"which b¹. shews the profile of the front of the old construction of Cab. and b².
"the profile or front of the improved construction
48
«
46
"
"Secondly. The mounting of the body of the Cab on to the carriage is accom-
plished by means of springs in the ordinary manner with this exception that the
couplings or junctions e e connecting the side springs ff with the back stay or
spring g is effected by means of leather "robbins" e¹ e¹ instead of the metal links
or shackles now employed. The stay or spring g also is made of a stout semi-
yielding blade or blades of steel which in conjunction with the leather robbins e¹ e¹
causes the body of the Cab when running over rough roads or turning sharp
corners to ride upon its spring bearings much easier steadier and without that
facility of oscillation which is inseparable from cabs of the present construction.
The Cab is provided on either side below the foot board with foot steps similar
"in form to an inverted A from the bar of which the gridiron foot-step projects.
"The lower rounded portion . of these steps not only prevents the shafts of the
"vehicle coming into contact with the ground in the event of the horse stumbling
"but enables it at such times to slide a few paces over the rough pavement
"thereby preventing that sudden arrest and consequent shock that inevitably
"takes place on such occasion when steps of the ordinary construction are
employed.
"
«
"
Having now described the nature of my said invention together with the
means of carrying the same into practical effect I wish it to be understood in
"conclusion that I claim the general arrangement and construction of the body
"and doors of the Cab whereby the interior thereof is made much more commodious
"and comfortable as herein before substantially described and set forth.
"
"And Secondly-The peculiar adaptation to the carriage of cabs of the coupling
"robbins" e¹ e¹ and stay or spring g and foot step i as shewn in the Drawings to
"be employed in the manner and for the purpose as herein before described set
"forth and fully illustrated in the Drawings annexed."
AND I the said Frederick Forder do hereby further declare that the above
Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration are not nor is any part thereof intended
to extend the exclusive right granted by the said Letters Patent and that these
Presents shall not extend the said exclusive right in anyway whatever:
In witness whereof I the said Frederick Forder have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Fifteenth day of January in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty four.
Signed Sealed and Delivered by)

page_text: To, The Commissioners of Patents for Inventions.
I hereby grant my Fiat giving leave to the above named Frederick. Forder to
file in the Office of the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions, with the
Specification to which the same relates, the above written Disclaimer and
Memorandum of Alteration.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Forder, of Wolverhampton, in the
County of Stafford, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF CABS OR VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING ON ROADS,"
Sealed the 9th April 1874, and dated the 1st November 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Forder at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 1st November 1873.
I, FREDERICK FORDER, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford,
do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "CERTAIN IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CABS OR VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING ON
ROADS," to be as follows:-
The Invention is designed for the purpose of producing a vehicle
similar in construction to that class of cab known as the "Hansom," the
peculiarity of which will fit it especially for running over the rough
pavements of cities and towns or roads adjacent thereto, and also giving

page_text: to the persons occupying such cab greater comfort and accomodation
than Hansoms of the ordinary construction.
First. The improvements relate to the peculiar formation and con-
struction of the body and doors of a cab which are designed with a view
of giving increased room and thorough ventilation to the interior
thereof. For this purpose the body of the vehicle is extended in width
and depth over the axle of the carriage, and again from the elbow rest
out towards the wheels so as further to extend the width of the upper
portion of the cab, giving more head room. The upper portion of the
doors which are considerably higher than the doors of ordinary cabs
slant outwards for a certain distance and then continue their length in
the form of an obtuse angle to the floor of the cab, thus giving increased
knee room for the occupants. The doors are connected to the body so
as to project therefrom, and are so arranged and hung that when open
they will fall back and form a shield or protection to the dress or
garments of persons entering or leaving the cab. There is only one
falling window for closing in the front of the cab which is under the
control of the driver; above this window and below the roof of the
vehicle Venetian openings are formed for admitting air, which circulates
freely without draught through the interior and then becomes exhausted
through apertures formed in the supports or sides of the communicating
hole or trap in the roof. effecting thereby perfect ventilation when

page_text: when tightened up and secured in their places will prevent the clips
from slipping on the springs, and secures axle, spring, and block like one
solid piece together.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Frederick Forder in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 1st May 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FREDERICK
FORDER, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the First day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Frederick Forder, Her special licence
that I, the said Frederick Forder, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Frederick Forder, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CABS OR VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING ON ROADS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Frederick Forder,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,
or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Frederick Forder, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement and accompanying Drawings, that is to say :—
The Invention is designed for the purpose of producing a vehicle
similar in construction to that class of cab known as the "Hansom," the

page_text: peculiarity of which will fit it specially for running over the rough
pavements of cities and towns or roads adjacent thereto, and also
giving to the persons occupying such cab greater comfort and accommo-
dation than "Hansoms" of the ordinary construction.
First. The improvements relate to the peculiar formation and con-
struction of the body and doors of a cab, the design of which makes it
not only internally more capacious but also effects thorough ventilation
without draught. For this purpose the body of the vehicle is extended
in width and depth over the axle of the carriage, and again from the
elbow rest out towards the wheels so as further to entend the width of
the upper portion of the cab, giving thereby more room. The doors of
the cab also are formed so as to slant outwards for a certain distance
from the top, and then continue their length to the floor of the cab in a
direction which will form an obtuse angle with the upper portion of the
door; but the pillar to which the doors are attached by hinges projects
beyond the line front of the ordinary form of cab both at the top and
bottom. The connection of the doors with the body of the cab is
accomplished by means of projecting hinges so arranged that when the
doors are open they will form a shield or projection to the dress or
garments of persons entering or leaving the cab.
'
The temperature and ventilation of the interior of the cab when the
falling window is closed are uniformly maintained by an arrangement of
parts which may be thus described. Immediately over the window a
series of permanent or adjustable openings are formed which may be in
construction similar to the ordinary "Venetion" ventilator or simply
perforations. Through the apertures so formed air is admitted which
circulates freely in the interior and then becomes exhausted through
openings in the side supports of the trap in the crown or roof.
Secondly. The improvements relate to the mounting of the body of
the cab on to the "carriage" of the vehicle by means of springs in the
ordinary manner, with this exception, that the coupling of the side
springs to the back spring under the boot which is made of a stout semi-
yielding blade or blades of steel is accomplished by "robbins " made of
leather in lieu of the metal links or shackles now employed, and stability
is given to the whole structure by securing the clips connecting the
springs with the axle through the medium of indented plates placed
over the top surface of the springs in a manner that will connect the

page_text: two bolts of the clip together, and which when tightened up will prevent
the clips from slipping on the springs, and thus secure axle spring and
block like one solid piece together.
In order that the Invention may be better understood and explained
in detail, I have hereunto annexed a Sheet of Drawings made upon a
scale of about one inch and a quarter to the foot, similar letters of
reference being marked on corresponding parts on all the Figures
alike.
Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal section of the cab taken through the
line x, x; Fig. 2 represents a back elevation of the same; Fig. 3
represents a detached portion of the front of the cab; and Figs. 4 and 5
enlarged front and end views of the couplings of one of the side springs
with the back spring or stay under the boot.
.
In these Figs. a, a, is the body of the cab, the internal capacity of
which is somewhat larger in width and height than cabs of the ordinary
construction; b, b, represents a section of one of the doors of the cab,
the formation of which gives increased knee room for the occupant when
closed, as seen in Fig. 3, in which 6' shews the profile of the front of the
old construction of cab; and 63 the profile or front of the improved
construction. c, c, are Venetion or other kinds of openings, the extent
of which may be made adjustable by a sliding panel or other equivalent;
through these openings fresh air is admitted, which circulating freely
without draught through the interior of the cab in the direction, as indi-
cated by the arrows, passes off through the apertures formed in the side
of the roof hole or trap d, and thereby effects perfect ventilation to the
interior when the doors and windows are closed.
i
Secondly. The mounting of the body of the cab on to the carriage is
accomplished by means of springs in the ordinary manner, with this
exception that the couplings or junctions e, e, connecting the side
springs ff with the back stay or spring 9 is effected by means of
leather "robbins " e¹, e¹, instead of the metal links or shackles now
employed. The stay or spring 9 also is made of a stout semi-yielding
blade or blades of steel, which in conjunction with the leather
robbins e¹, e¹, causes the body of the cab when running over rough
roads or turning sharp corners to ride upon its spring bearings much
easier, steadier, and without that facility of oscillation which is insepa-
rable from cabs of the present construction.

page_text: The cab is provided on either side below the foot board with foot steps
similar in form to an inverted A, from the bar of which the gridiron
foot step projects. The lower rounded portions of these steps not only
prevents the shafts of the vehicle coming into contact with the ground
in the event of the horse stumbling, but enables it at such times to slide
a few paces over the rough pavement, thereby preventing that sudden
arrest and consequent shock that inevitably takes place on such occasion
when steps of the ordinary construction are employed.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, together with
the means of carrying the same into practical effect, I wish it to be
understood in conclusion that I claim the general arrangement and con-
struction of the body and doors of the cab, whereby the interior thereof
is made much more commodious and comfortable, together with the
novel employment and adaptation thereto of ventilating apertures, as
herein-before substantially described and set forth.
And; Secondly. The peculiar adaptation to the carriage of cabs of the
coupling "robbins "e², e¹, and stay or spring g and foot step i, as shewn
in the Drawings, to be employed in the manner and for the purpose as
herein-before described, set forth, and fully illustrated in the Drawings
annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Forder, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this 30th day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
Witness,
HENRY GETHING,
7, Ironmonger Lane,
London,
Solicitor.
FREDERICK FORDER. (L.S.)