IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING DRAUGHT ANIMALS TO AND FROM WHEELED VEHICLES, AND FOR CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING WHEELED VEHICLES TO AND FROM EACH OTHER.
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Rexford at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th December 1882.
JOHN REXFORD, of Edmonton, in the County of Middlesex,
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING DRAUGHT ANIMALS TO AND
FROM WHEELED VEHICLES, AND FOR CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING WHEELED
VEHICLES TO AND FROM EACH OTHER.'
"
This Invention has reference to certain improvements in apparatus for con-
necting and disconnecting draught animals to and from wheeled vehicles, and for
connecting and disconnecting wheeled vehicles to and from each other; and the
principal object of the Invention is to provide simple means of securely connecting
draught animals to wheeled vehicles, and such as will allow of the sure and instant
disconnection or freeing of the animals from the vehicles upon the animals taking
fright on falling down, or upon any other such emergency, for ensuring the safety
of the occupants of the vehicles: the Invention is also equally applicable to the
connection and disconnection of wheeled vehicles.
In order that the principle of my Invention may be fully understood, I will
describe its application to a vehicle with two shafts between which a horse is
secured in the usual manner. The rear end of each shaft carries a projecting
through bolt which when all is connected up and in normal position engages in
corresponding recesses in a bifurcated frame projecting from the vehicle body.
This frame is vertically divided through the centre of the said bolt holes, and the
divided parts are united by a bottom hinge upon which the part of the frame in
advance of the said bolt can freely turn when required to free the animal. The
fore part of the frame carries an upper extension which when the parts are in

page_text: normal position lie over the rear part of the said frame, and is overlapped by spring
catches, which can be drawn back by a string, wire or other contrivance when
required by the occupant of the vehicle; the effect of so doing is to release the
turning part of the frame from its catches, and this, in opening and falling, allows
of the instant freeing and separation of the animal and shafts from the vehicle
body.
In such vehicles wherein the horses run in pairs side by side, I similarly fit and
apply the parts carrying the traces so as to allow of the instant detachment of the
animals from the vehicles.
And in vehicles having a central pole on each side of which a horse is driven, I
pass the pole through an iron socket, and fit it with the sliding catch, upon the
release of which, as hereinbefore described, the horses and pole can be instantly
separated from the vehicle.
When fitting two wheeled vehicles with this contrivance, I find it of advantage
to fit an additional and lower step with an under wheel to prevent the upsetting
of the occupants of the vehicle upon the disconnection of the animal and vehicle.
In adapting the contrivance to the connection and disconnection of vehicles, the
same principle is involved, and the parts are arranged in accordance with the
altered requirements:

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Rexford in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th June
.1883.
-
JOHN REXFORD, of Edmonton, in the County of Middlesex." "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING DRAUGHT ANIMALS TO AND
FROM WHEELED VEHICLES, AND FOR CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING WHEELED
VEHICLES TO AND FROM EACH OTHER
:
"
This Invention has reference to certain improvements in apparatus for con-
necting and disconnecting draught animals to and from wheeled vehicles, and for
connecting and disconnecting wheeled vehicles to and from each other; and its
principal object is to provide simple means of securely connecting draught animals
to wheeled vehicles and which will allow of the sure and instant disconnection or
freeing of the animals from the vehicles upon the animals taking fright or falling
down or upon any other such emergency, for ensuring the safety of the occupants
of the vehicles and avoiding damage to the latter.
Such being the nature and object of my said Invention, I will now describe more
in detail the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or
carried into practical effect, and in order that the principle of my Invention may
be fully understood I have annexed hereunto drawings illustrative of a very
advantageous modification thereof and have marked the same with Figures of
reference corresponding with those in the following description thereof.
ร
In applying the improved means to a wheeled vehicle having two independent
shafts (between which the draught animal is secured in the usual manner) the rear
end of each shaft 1, is provided with a through bolt 2, the projecting parts of
which when all is connected up and in normal position as shown in the sectional
view Fig 1. engage in opposite holes 3, in arms 4, of a wrought or malleable iron
piece 5, which projects from and is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the
frame or front of the vehicle body. The arms 4 are formed of the shape most
clearly shown in the perspective view Fig 2 and the said bolt holes 3, are
preferably formed one half in the ends of the arms, and the other half in pieces 6,
which abut thereagainst when in the position shown in Fig 1. The pieces 6, are
hinged at 7, to the ends of the arms 4, below the holes 3, so that they can freely
turn to the position shown in Fig 2. and release the bolts 2, when required to free
the animal from all connection with the vehicle. The pieces 6, are formed with
extensions 8, which in the position shown in Fig 1. lie over the arms 4, and are
then overlapped by a spring catch 9, which at any time required can be instantly
drawn back by a string wire or other contrivance leading from any position con-
venient to the driver or occupant of the vehicle to the eye 10, of the catch.
The effect of thus drawing back the catch 9, from the position shown in Fig 1.
to that shown in Fig 2. is to release the extensions 8, of the hinged pieces 6, and
there being then nothing to resist the pull of the shaft bolts 2, the pieces 6, are
instantly opened out as shown in Fig 2. and the desired freeing and separation of
the animal and shafts from the vehicle body is accomplished.
Each bolt 2, may be made with an outer extension for receiving one of the
traces and when thus fitted one or both of the holes 3, and the bolt are formed
oval or otherwise to prevent any turning of the bolt. The rear of the piece 5,
may be slotted as shown at 11, and the parts 12, may be entered between a central
wooden part projecting from the vehicle frame and entering the slot or opening 11,
and side irons projecting from the said frame outside the parts 12, and the whole
may be secured by through bolts.

page_text: The catch 9, has a squared part 13, which slides in longitudinal slots 14, in the
piece 5, and below the latter is another sliding piece 15, which is secured by a
nut 16. The piece 5. is also formed with a longitudinal recess 17, for the reception
of a spiral spring 18, which has a constant tendency to keep the catch piece 9,
in its locking position as shown in Fig. 1.
The improved means of disconnection is equally applicable to vehicles wherein
the horses run side by side, or on each side of a central pole as the parts carrying
the traces or the pole or other parts requiring to be disconnected are similarly
fitted so as to allow of the instant detachment of the animals from the vehicles.
t
When fitting, two-wheeled vehicles with this contrivance I find it of advantage
to fit an additional and lower step with an 'under wheel to prevent the upsetting
of the occupants of the vehicle upon the disconnection of the animal therefrom.
In adapting the contrivance to other analogous uses such as to the connection
and disconnection of vehicles or vessels, the same principle is involved, only the
parts may be modified and arranged to suit any particular requirements, for
instance in the latter case, the parts 6, would be made hook shaped or with
much larger openings (3) for the reception of a hook, shackle or hawser.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature and objects of
my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be or may be performed or
carried into practical effect, I would observe, in conclusion that what I consider to
be novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting the Invention secured.to
me, by the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is.
:
The construction of apparatus for connecting and disconnecting draught animals
to and from wheeled vehicles, and for connecting and disconnecting wheeled
vehicles to and from each other and applicable for other analogous uses, by binging
or equivalently connecting detaining pieces to a part intended to be fixed or other-
'wise secured to the vehicle, and by combining with the latter a catch or its
equivalent in such manner, substantially as herein before described, as that when
in the normal position the said detaining pieces are secured by the catch relatively
to the fixed or body part of the contrivance so as to retain the shaft or other part
and its attachments, and as that upon any emergency or at any time desired upon
the catch piece being withdrawn so as to release the detaining pieces the desired
disconnection is instantly accomplished.
In Witness whereof, I, the said John Rexford, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and eighty three..
"Witness.
CHARLES AUBREY DAY, Fel. Inst. P. A.,
Patent Office,
321. High Holborn.
London. W.C.
JOHN REXFORD (L.S.)