AN IMPROVEMENT IN HANSOM AND OTHER CABRIOLETS "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Ashburnham Floyd of Eastbourne in the county
of Sussex for an Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT IN HANSOM AND OTHER
CABRIOLETS
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Ashburnham Floyd
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th December 1883.
CHARLES ASHBURNHAM FLOYD of Eastbourne in the county of Sussex
IMPROVEMENT IN HANSOM AND OTHER CABRIOLETS
"
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My invention relates to the construction and arrangement of the roof of a
Hansom or other cabriolet in such manner that part of it can be moved into
various positions, so as to give more or less shelter to the passenger. For this
purpose, I make the front part of the roof of the vehicle in the form of a segment
of a cylindrical shell, and within this shell, I fit another segmental cylindrical
shell, which constitutes a hood that can turn on pivots central with the stationary
roof shell. In one position of the moveable hood, when it is entirely within the
roof, the vehicle presents the ordinary appearance of a Hansom cab or cabriolet,
quite open in front.
But, when shelter is desired, the hood can be turned more or less on its pivots
so as to be made to project forwards and downwards in front of the stationary
part of the roof.
The moveable hood may be provided with glass panels, so that when it is
protruded, the passenger can see out at the front or at the sides. For moving the
hood, straps or cords may be led over suitable guide pullies to convenient positions
to be operated by the hand of the passenger or driver. In some cases, I arrange
the roof and hood so that the centre of their cylindrical curvature is sufficiently
low to allow of a spindle extending across the vehicle under the front edge of the
seat. Both sides of the moveable hood being secured to the opposite ends of this
spindle, their moving together without oblique straining of the structure is ensured.
In this case, movement may be given to the hood by a simple pull or push at either
side of it, and shifting of the hood may be prevented by a frictional or other catch
applied at the side.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Ashburnham Floyd in the Patent Office on the 11th June
1884.
CHARLES ASHBURNHAM FLOYD of Eastbourne in the County of Sussex, "AN
IMPROVEMENT IN HANSOM AND OTHER CABRIOLETS
"
According to my invention, as illustrated by the accompanying sectional view,
I make the roof of a Hansom Cab in two parts A and B, both of concentric
circular curvature, the one A which is the back part, being fixed, and the other or
front part B with its two sides E which are approximately of the form of sectors,
being fitted to move round the centre C of the circular curvature. The moveable
part B can be slid under the part A, exposing the front open, or, when it is desired
to shelter the interior of the vehicle, the part B can be slid forward to the position
shewn in the drawing so as to project in front like a roof or hood. There may be
glass panes in the sides E and also a pane D in the roof of the moveable part B.
A cord may be led over guide pullies and terminate in a ring or catch accessible
to the driver, so that he can move the part B, or it may be moved by the passenger
within the vehicle and secured in any desired position by a suitable catch.
Although I have described and shewn in the accompanying drawing the hood or
moveable part of the roof arranged to slide inside and under the stationary part
of the roof, obviously it might be made to slide outside and over the stationary
part. And it may be readily understood that the roofs of vehicles similar generally
in form to Hansom Cabs, such for example as Bath or invalid chairs might be
similarly constructed and arranged.
Having thus described the nature of my invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed, I would state that I am aware that it has been proposed to
construct and arrange a window for a Hansom Cab in such a manner that when
opened it can be slid under the roof and accommodated there above the head of the
passenger, or that it can be partially opened and made to project as a shield in line
with the Cab roof, special mechanism being applied to move it to and from its
several positions. I therefore make no claim to a window for a Hansom Cab so
constructed and arranged with its operating mechanism, but I claim :-
Constructing the curved roof of a Hansom Cab or such like vehicle in two parts,
the one fitted to slide concentrically with the other so that it can by a single
movement be projected forward and downward to form a hood giving shelter to the
passenger, substantially as herein described.
In Witness whereof I the said Charles Ashburnham Floyd have hereunto set
my hand and seal this eleventh day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty-four.
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