Sedan Chair (TL5)

     The origin of the sedan chair, the second type of non-wheeled transport which was popular through out Europe until the late 19th century, is unknown.  Some maintain that it originated in the East where people were frequently carried by their servants in similar contraptions.  Other believe that it was the next step on from a practical solution for transporting sick people, which originally consisted of a seat suspended by cords from the carrier's shoulders.  The sedan chair has a single seat, which a door in front and a roof that is either fixed or which can be raised to facilitate access.  The chair is lifted by means of two removable shafts which slot into metal brackets on the sides of the chair.  It is carried by two or four chairmen, depending on the occupant's weight, hanging from their shoulders by leather straps.

 

Subassemblies:  Body +1.

Powertrain:  None (carried by 2-4 men).

Occupancy:  1 NPS

Cargo:  0 cf.

 

Armor:  2/2W overall

 

Equipment:

Body:  Luxury interior.

 

Statistics:

Size:  2.9'x2.4'x5.3'     Payload:  0.1 tons       Lwt.:  0.25 tons

Volume:  30.5 cf.        Maint.:  274 hours      Price:  $5,314

 

HT:  5.    HPs:  23 Body.

 

Design Notes:

     A sedan chair is essentially a passenger seat in a wooden box, and was designed as such.  Two poles (p. B212) were added to the structure for carrying.  Structure is Extra Light, with Expensive materials.  Armor is DR 2 Expensive Wood.  Empty weight is 304 lbs.  Most typical chairmen (ST 12, p. LT8) would carry the sedan with passenger as Extra-Heavy Encumbrance (Move 1) with 2 men, or Medium Encumbrance (Move 3) with 4 men.

 

From the Aerodrome for GURPS

© 2008 by Jim Antonicic