Patent GB-266046-A (GB)
Title: Mechanical horse or other appliance for practising riding
IPC: A63G19/00
Filed: 1925-11-16
Abstract: 266,046. Schoenke, W. Nov. 16, 1925. Body-motion and weight of rider, propelling by.-In a mechanical animal for practising riding the legs are spreadable against the action of one or more springs which are at such a tension that they will support the weight of the animal and rider, and are arranged to exert a greater leverage on the legs when the legs are spread. The front legs 1 are preferably arranged to form a lever pivoted about a midpoint 3 to the frame 2 of the animal, while the rear legs 4 form a lever pivoted at an end point 5. A rod 8 connects the upper end 6 of the front leg with an intermediate point 7 of the rear leg, and a spring 9, provided with a cord 10 connected to the point 6 by way of a pulley 11, is connected through an adjusting device 14 to the point 7. At the connecting point 12 of the spring 9 and the device 14 is pivoted a link 13, the other end of which is pivoted at the point 5. A bent lever 17 carries a stirrup 17a, and is connected by a cord 15 passing over a pulley 16 with the point 6 so that the weight of the rider on the stirrups assists the spring 9 in bringing the legs to non- spread position. The saddle 25 runs on a frame 22 pivoted at 6 and carries a curved member 23 that engages a roller 24 at the point 5, and a link 27 connects the saddle with this point. Thus as the saddle is depressed, the upper end of the leg 1 is drawn towards the point 5. In addition, a curved rack 30 on the frame 22 engages the pinion 31 of a freewheel device from which the rear wheels 36 are driven by a chain. A spring 18 with a lost-motion device 19 connects the points 3 and 12 and serves as a stop for the legs in their spread position. A positive stop for use in the event of a spring breaking is provided by a bolt 20 on the frame 2 and a recess 21 in the rear leg. Steering is effected by reins 50 which pass over pulleys 51 at the animal's mouth and pulleys 52 on the frame to. the point 3, pulleys 53 being interposed. The sheaves 55 of the pulleys 53 are carried by cords 57 to quadrants 59 carried by the vertically pivoted fork 61 of the front wheel 54. Springs 56 return the pulleys 53 and wheel 54 to normal position. A pull on both reins exerts a pull on a cord 41 connecting the head 47, which is pivoted at 48, to the point 6, and assists in restoring the legs to non-spread position. Rods 66 keep the fork 61 in vertical position during the spreading of the legs, and the front wheel is prevented from rotating backwards when the legs are being restored to normal position. The pivots 3. 5, 6, 7 comprise spindles provided with tubular bearings screwed into flanges that are secured to the legs. The spindles 3, 5 are screwed into the frame members 2. A roller on the pivot 5 is connected by a cord 38 with the pivoted tail 40, so that the tail moves with the rise and fall of the saddle. A modified drive for the rear wheel 36 comprises a segmental gear secured to the frame 2 meshing with a pinion mounted at a point of the rear leg between the points 5 and 7, this pinion operating the chain drive of the wheel. The link 27 may be eccentrically connected to the roller 24 so that the saddle 25 moves forwardly of the point 5 as it is depressed.