Improvements in Instruments or Appliances for Measuring the Withers and Backs of Horses and other Animals.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 14th May, 1891-Accepted, 26th June, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Instruments or Appliances for Measuring the
Withers and Backs of Horses and other Animals.
I, JOHN JACKMAN, of 138 Long Acre in the County of London, Saddler,
Harness and Horse Clothing Manufacturer 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 refers to instruments or appliances for measuring the withers (that
is the ridge between the shoulder bones of a horse at the bottom of the neck) and
backs of horses and other animals, such instruments or appliances being portable
and capable of being easily carried in the pocket, when not in use, all as hereafter
described.
According to my invention I make the instrument, as illustrated by the accom-
panying drawings, of two hinged portions A A' cach portion being curved or bent
on one edge to correspond with the contour of the withers, and as shown in plan
view at Figure 1, and on the other side curved or bent to the back of the animal,
as shown in the plan view Figure 2. When used to measure the "withers" the
instrument, as shown at Figure 1, is placed on and is caused to embrace the ridge
by moving the two hinged portions A A' to the shape of same, the instrument thus
adjusted is removed and laid on a piece of paper or other material, which is then
marked or cut to correspond with the shape, ascertained by the instrument, and to
this shape the saddle or other harness is made, and consequently when so made, fits
the animal with the greatest accuracy. By reversing the instrument, as shown by
Figure 2, it is likewise used in a similar manner for measuring the shape of the back
of the animal for saddles and other purposes.
The two hinged portions are or may be themselves jointed, as shown folded at
Figure 3, so as to double or fold over like a rule on one another, and in this way the
instrument is made to fold up into a comparatively small compass for carrying in
the pocket, and for packing generally.
Along the sides of the two hinged portions, there may be a scale as shown for
taking measurements, or for marking distances, or positions, of certain parts, or
irregularities, as may be required.
Instruments of this kind are very useful for measuring animals, and taking the
sizes, without taking the animal or animals to the harness maker, who on receipt
of the pattern by post or otherwise, is able to manufacture the article required, and
thus ensure a perfect fit without seeing the animal, an advantage which will be
appreciated by many who are some distance from the manufacturer he may desire
to employ.
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 is:-
1. The instruments or appliances for measuring the withers or backs of animals,
composed of curved adjustable hinged portions A A1, substantially as herein before
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. The instruments or appliances for measuring the withers and backs of animals
composed of curved adjustable hinged portions, the said curved portions being

page_text: jointed so as to fold themselves on one another all substantially as described and
illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 14th day of May 1801
JOHN JACKMAN.
Brewer & Son,
Agents.