IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTS, CONVEYANCES, AND WAGGONS FOR COMMERCIAL, AGRICULTURAL, AND MILITARY PURPOSES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Steevens at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th June
1864.
I, WILLIAM STEEVENS, Engineer, of Godolphin Road, Hammersmith, in
the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTS, CONVEYANCES, AND WAGGONS FOR COMMERCIAL,
AGRICULTURAL, AND MILITARY PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
My improvements in carts, conveyances, and waggons for commercial,
agricultural, and military purposes consist in their construction so as to
obtain more space for goods with less draught to the horse. To effect this I
place the axle through the body of the cart or vehicle and carry the weight
below instead of (as heretofore) above. The front part of the body is so
arranged that the horse is brought back close to the axle, with covered space
over his back so that the weight is equally balanced when laden. In case of
the horse falling the weight of the cart cannot press on him, as the stays on
the bottom will come in contact with the ground first. The shafts being placed
through the body carries the weight and does away with traces, the horses
pulling direct from the shaft.
To prevent the horse from running away when left alone or standing
waiting for goods, I place a length of small copper wire rope or leather strap
under the shaft of the cart or vehicle, leading from the beam or stock of the
wheel to the horse's head, and made good to the lower part of bit in the
mouth; when the horse moves forward the revolution of the wheel will wind

page_text: the wire rope round the nave and pull the horse back on his haunches. I
prefer using copper wire rope; it will not burst, and is more durable than any
other material.
In constructing carts and waggons for agricultural purposes I very much
lessen the draught by using high wheels, and placing the axle as above
through the body and bringing the bottom framing to carry the weight below.
In the case of using springs they are fixed inside, thereby giving more width
and space for goods. The horse is brought back close to the axle of the cart,
and the body so arranged that the weight is equally balanced with a heavy
load. The waggons have also much higher wheels. The hind axle is placed
through the body and the springs inside, by which we carry more goods with
much lighter draught to the horses. The body of the waggon is made much
longer (as may be required) by iron slides at the back. The market cart is
much lighter in draught, the weight being properly equalized, the axle passed
through the body under the seat, and the horse brought back close. In the
water or liquid manure carts, the tanks or body is placed under the axle and
brought round the horse so as to carry more water and less draught, with
perforated pipes placed at the sides and end. Carts or conveyances for
military purposes and facilitating the operations of the army, moving safely
ammunition and such like stores, carrying baggage on the march, acting as
boats for carrying troops crossing rivers or streams, ambulances for carrying
the sick and wounded. These carts are made of iron; when closed are water-
tight or air-proof; can be made suitable for warm baths in the commissary or
hospital department; also, when placed upright, forms a sentry box shot-
proof. This universal cart can be made available for cooking operations for
large numbers of men by steam. Some of the carts I propose to make of
iron and others of wood. They form seats or tables for the interior of tents,
and applicable for many purposes in the army.