Improvements in Folding Wheelbarrows, Handcarts, and other Light Road Vehicles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 21st Feb., 1896-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding Wheelbarrows, Handcarts, and other
Light Road Vehicles.
I, ROBERT RIACH THOM, 12 London Road, Kilmarnock, Scotland, Minister of
the Free Church of Scotland, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
This invention is a method of folding into small compass wheelbarrows, hand-
carts and other light road vehicles. This is effected by means of joints and hinges
and other appliances, and by the use of such forms, arrangements and disposition
of parts as are fitted to effect the intended purpose. Each end of the body of the
barrow is at its extremities hinged to the two opposite sides, and is further hinged
in the middle so as to fold inward. The bottom is divided longitudinally in two
halves and each half hinged to the adjoining side. The wheels run on short stud
or stump axles. A stiffening bar or folding axle may be used to connect the stud
axles. The vehicle can be made with or without springs. Invention applies to
donkey & pony carts.
Dated this 21st day of December 1895.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding Wheelbarrows, Handcarts, and other
Light Road Vehicles.
I, ROBERT RIACH THOM, 12 London Road, Kilmarnock, Scotland, Minister of
the Free Church of Scotland 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 produce a barrow, handcart or light road
vehicle, of strong and firm construction, which can be simply, quickly and easily
folded, so as to enable it to be taken through a very narrow opening, and be
conveniently stowed away in very small space. I attain this object by the
contrivances and arrangements illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which
similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, of which the
following is a general description.
Fig. I. A side view of the vehicle.
Fig. II. An end view of it when extended.
Fig. III. An end view when collapsed.
Fig. IV. A view of the extended vehicle from above.
Fig. V. An enlarged view from above of one of the ends collapsing.
Fig. VI. An enlarged side view of the bolster, stump axle, spring and guide.
Fig. VII. An enlarged sectional view of stump-axle, spring, guide and bolster.
Fig. VIII. The stump axles connected by a folding axle.
Fig. IX. The stump axles connected by a stiffening rod.

page_text: In this invention the front of the body of the vehicle is divided perpendicularly
into two equal parts, which are hinged together on the outside. (E Fig. IV, V).
The ends of this front part are hinged on the inside to upright standards (KK)
fixed to the sides at the corners of the vehicle. In the case of a barrow, the
aforesaid standards are continued downwards to form feet. (LL Fig. 1). The
back of the vehicle is hinged and attached in the same way as the front.
The bottom is divided in half lengthways, and the balves hinged to opposite
sides.
The upright corner standards already mentioned, are made of sufficient size to
allow room for the bottom when it is folded up. The bottom in its extended
position rests on ledges (D D Fig. IV. V) fixed to the folding front and
back.
The hinges (GG) may have long tails to meet those of the opposite side and
lock into them. For lifting the bottom, handholes (B B) are cut, but rings or
handles can be used if preferred.
Bolsters are fixed to the sides; and the back and front of the vehicle are made
of sufficient depth to withstand lateral strain. The wheels run on short stud or
stump axles (M M).
The vehicle can be made either with or without springs. When made without
springs, the inner end of the stump axle is split into two parts, which are flattened,
and turned up in the form of the letter V, (Q Fig. 1) and securely bolted to the
bolster (P) and side.
When the vehicle is made with springs, there is sufficient space left between
these and the bolster to allow for the action of the springs. The stump axles are
fixed to the springs; and guides (O O Fig. VI VII) are used to keep the wheel
and axle in their right position. These guides consist of a strong metal plate bent
into a rectangular fork. The part between the angles is secured to the spring and
stump axle, with the ends upwards. One end passes outside, and the other inside
the bolster, which at that part is faced with metal plates for the guides to slide on.
A bolt connecting the two sides of the fork, passes through an opening in the
bolster of sufficient size to allow of the action of the spring.
For larger or heavier forms of the vehicle, a stiffening bar, (Fig. IX) or folding
axle (Fig. VIII) may be used instead of guides, or in conjunction with them.
The form of axle shown consists of four equal pieces of angle iron hinged by bolts
to the stump axle and to each other, so as to collapse and expand simultaneously
with the ends of the vehicle. When the vehicle is extended, the axle is kept rigid
by a catch or chain. Any other convenient form of axle may be used.
In collapsing the vehicle, if a folding axle or stiffening bar is used, that must be
first of all released. The sections of the bottom are then raised; the ends pushed
slightly inward, and then the sides brought together.
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;
1. A vehicle constructed according to the directions given in the foregoing
Specification, and
II. The combination of means and contrivances used by me to effect my object,
in particular; the combination of contrivances and means to effect the folding
and expanding of the vehicle, and to secure the necessary firmness, rigidity, and
strength; namely;-
1. Trebly hinged ends.
2. Stump axles.
2 A

page_text: 8. The bottom so contrived and constructed that it keeps the whole framework
of the vehicle square and rigid.
All these I have described in the foregoing Specification.
This invention applies to folding handcarts, wheelbarrows, donkey and pony
carts and carriages, and other light road vehicles.
Dated this 20th day of February 1896.
ROBERT RIACI
THOM.