Improved Means for Preventing Persons Soiling their Garments against the Wheels on Entering a Hansom Cab.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 8th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 8th Feb., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Preventing Persons Soiling their Garments
against the Wheels on Entering a Hansom Cab.
MENOTTI DEL GUERRA 160 Bute Road Cardiff shopkeeper I do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows: :-
In this invention I place a ring around the boss, both sides of the wheels of a
hansom cab, with a groove made in it. Then in this groove I place a wheel or wheels
which are connected together by means of some suitable device passed around the
groove in the ring on the boss of the wheels, of the hansom cab, or a round piece
of metal, or any other suitable material, bent round the groove & branched off to
support the piece on the top for shielding the wheels. Four or more rods can be
attached to the brackets for supporting the top piece of a curved section, which
prevents the outside periphery of the wheel from coming into contact with any
person's garment on entering the cab. To this top piece of a curved section, which is
about a quarter of a circle of an ordinary hansom cab wheel in length, I attach a
cord or any other article which communicates to the driver who has full control of
the apparatus. Any person or persons entering the hansom cab, the driver loosens
the cord which is fastened alongside his seat & immediately the top piece is let down
& covers the wheel where it would be likely to come in contact with the garments of
the persons entering.
Directly the person or persons are seated inside the hansom cab the driver pulls the
cord to which the apparatus is attached & immediately it is drawn up out of the way.
The same process is applied on descending. A pin or bracket can be placed to
prevent the apparatus coming back too far over the wheels also to keep the top piece
direct on the wheels & thus prevent friction.
In order to simplify the invention I can if preferred place a piece of metal or any
other material hinged on to the inside or outside of the doors of a bansom cab. The
doors being opened, the plate of metal is placed over the part of the wheel where the
person or persons is likely to come in contact & thus prevent them from soiling or
rubbing their garments. Directly they are inside the pieces are placed in their
former positions & the doors closed. The same thing is done when they are
descending.
April 6th 1880
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Preventing Persons Soiling their Garments
against the Wheels on Entering a Hansom Cab.
I, MENOTTI DEL'GUERRA, of 160 Bute Road, Cardiff, Shopkeeper 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:-
My Invention has for its object to provide a suitable guard and actuating
mechanism for preventing persons soiling their garments when entering or leaving
"hansom" cabs or analogous vehicles.
In order that my Invention, and the mode of carrying same into practice, may be
the better understood I have appended the accompanying two sheets of drawings.
Referring to Sheet 1, Figure 1 represents a side elevation and Figure 2 an end
elevation of a vehicle to which my improvements are adapted. Figures 3 and 4
illustrate by an end elevational and front elevational view respectively the manner in
Price 6d3

page_text: which the guard or shield is supported on the boss of the wheel so as to partially
enclose the rim. The arrangement here shown comprises a grooved ring a secured to
the boss one on each side of the wheel. A number of wheels or rollers a¹ Figure 4,
or equivalent friction reducing media, are retained in the groove of the ring a by an
enclosing casing b, b'. Four or more rods care continued radially from the enclosing
casing b, b, to the periphery of the wheel where they support the guard or shield A
which consists of any suitable material or materials.-A convenient means of con-
nection is established between the driver and the guard or shield A so that the latter
may be lowered as occasion may arise into the position necessary for it to assume so as
to prevent the garments of the person entering or leaving the vehicle coming into
contact with the wheel tyre or rim. An arrangement of stops tend to limit the
circular movement of the guard or shield A around the vehicle wheel.
In sheet 2 I have shown the means I employ for raising and lowering the guard
employed in connection with a slightly modified arrangement to that last described,
Figures 5 and 6 being side and end elevations of the vehicle with my improvements
adapted thereto, Figures 7 and 8 illustrating by a side and front elevation respectively
enlarged detail views of the parts hereinafter more particularly referred to. The
arrangement here shown comprises the guard A supported by two three or more
single rods c connected at their inner ends to the central portion D pivoted at d to the
clamp C, the latter being bolted or otherwise permanently secured to the axle E.
A guide casing e, carried by the radial arms of the clamp C, is provided, within
which the central portion D and rods c carrying the guard or shield A are capable
of sliding, the position which they assume, when in use, being indicated by dotted lines,
Figure 5.
To accomplish the lowering or raising of the guard or shield A I employ a lever F
connected to the horizontal rod G which is carried parallel to the axle E, in suitable
bearings. Each end g of the horizontal rod G is cranked as shown and engages in
one of the arms c which support the guard or shield A, by which arrangement the
driver can raise or lower the guard at will as occasion may arise.
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 and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :-
In the improved guard or shield before described for preventing the wheels of
hansom cabs or like vehicles coming in contact with and soiling the garments of
persons entering or leaving the vehicle, the means employed for supporting the guard
or shield from the boss of the wheel or from the axle of the vehicle; as also the means
adopted for lowering and raising the guard or shield into and out of use, substantially
as herein set forth and shown in the drawings Figures 1 to 8 inclusive.
Dated the L J.
1900
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, W.C., Agent for Applicant.