Improvements in Attachments for Stopping Horses.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 4th Apr 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Attachments for Stopping Horses.
I, JOSEPH ALOYSINS MULLEN, of 510 and 512 West 24th Street, in the
City, County and State of New York, United States of America, Merchant, 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 :-
This invention relates to a device for checking horses and preventing runaways,
and has for its object to provide a simple, cheap and perfectly operating device
which may be attached to a wagon or other vehicle, to normally cause the revolu-
tion of the wheels to wind up or tighten the reins and thereby draw the horses
rearwardly, and which may be automatically thrown out of gear when the vehicle
is occupied.
The invention consists in the novel construction and arrangements of parts
hereinafter more fully described, whereby the above mentioned and other desirable
results are obtained.
Referring to the drawings:
Fig. 1, is a longitudinal vertical section taken through the exact centre of a
device embodying the invention.
Fig. 2, is a sectional plan thereof upon the line it, ..
Fig. 3, is a detail view of the operating cams.
Fig. 4, is a sectional view of the modified form of construction.
Fig. 5, is a plan view thereof.
Fig. 6, an end view thereof: and,
Fig. 7, a longitudinal vertical section showing a modification.
In the practice of my invention, I journal in bearings a secured to the
axle A', of the vehicle A, within and beneath the springs A 2, a shaft B, having
pinions secured upon each end thereof, and meshing with gear wheels c secured
to the hubs A3, whereby the revolution of said hubs continuously rotates the
shaft B.
The shaft B, is reduced in diameter from slightly within one of the bearings a
to similar distance from the other, whereby the inner faces of the enlarged ends
form annular shoulders d provided with teeth e; and slidably and revolubly
mounted upon said shaft are peripherally concaved spools C, having teeth e¹ upon
their outer edges, which engage the teeth e of the shaft.
j
Upon the centre of the axle A¹, is secured an upraised angle bar in which is
inserted a vertical stud g projecting downwardly from the tubular arbor on which
are secured disc cams i one above the other, surrounded by the eccentric or similarly
shaped arms of two levers which extend diagonally downwardly and outwardly
to the inner ends of the spools C, which they loosely clasp to reciprocate the same
when the partial revolution of the arbor h carrying the cam; projects or retracts
said levers j. The stud g is revolubly secured in the angle bar f by means of a
head or flange g¹ upon the lower end thereof.
The actuation of the cams i is effected by means of a vertical spindle k journaled
in an angle bar k' secured to the under surface of the vehicle body A, and having
a flattened or squared lower end which is inserted in the tubular arbor to rotate
the same therewith. Upon the upper portion of said spindle is formed an exterior
screw-thread 2 of steep pitch.
.
Pivoted beneath the vehicle body at one end rearward of the spindle k is a

page_text: forwardly ranging lever D, having secured to the free end or front thereof a
vertical extension or rod E, projecting upwardly through apertures in the
vehicle body A, and the seat A4, thereof, respectively, and secured to the under
surface of an auxiliary seat F, which I pivot at the rear edge to the back A 5, or in
the sides A. 6, of the main seat.
From the front of the auxiliary seat F, depends a plate G, having a flange G¹, upon
the top thereof whereby it is secured to said seat, and provided at the bottom with
a forwardly ranging extension or foot rest G 2. The auxiliary seat F, is, with the
rod E, maintained normally, raised by an expansible spiral spring H, surrounding
said rod between the main seat A 4, and at the bottom of said seat F, the lever D,
being thereby maintained in the horizontal position. The central section of said
lever clasps a tubular sleeve m surrounding the spindle & and interiorly grooved or
threaded to receive the thread 2 therein, whereby the depression of said sleeve
rotates said spindle.
To the eyes or loops n of the usual reins of the horse, or to any other desired
portion of said reins, I secure at each side auxiliary reins I, extending through
eyes o upon the top of the axle, and secured to the spools C. An additional
rein J, connected by branches or straps J', to the reins I, extends through an eye o
upon the axle through the angle bar f, the tubular arbor, through the spindle k
which is also tubular for this purpose when the rein J, is employed through the
angle bar thence forwardly through eyes o2 upon the under surface of the
vehicle body A, and finally through an aperture p in said body A, to dash
board A 7, to which it is secured through an eye P¹.
The operation of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing
description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. The device
being in the normal position shown in the drawings with the cams and levers j
extended to force the teeth e of the shaft B, should the horse start to run or carry
off the vehicle, as where frightened by malice or accident, the rotation hubs A 3,
of the wheel will by reason of the gearing thereof with the shaft B, revolve said
shaft, and the spools C, being in engagement with the said shaft, will be revolved
therewith and will wind up the auxiliary reins I therein, thereby tightening the
reins and exerting great rearward pressure upon the horse, and thus effectually
checking his progress automatically.
When the occupant of the vehicle rests upon the auxiliary seat F, the same is
thereby depressed to hear upon the main seat A 4, carrying with it the rod E,
which similarly depresses the free end of the lever D, and the sleeve m, and the
latter engaging the thread k2 of the spindle, said spindle while vertically
stationary, is turned, and the end thereof within the arbor h, partially rotates
the same to draw the outer faces of the cams inwardly toward each other,
thereby withdrawing the spools C, from the engagement with the ends of the
shaft B, whereby said shaft revolves with the hubs A 3, but does not actuate
said spools.
When the reins are wound up by the attempted runaway they will be unwound
by the restart of the horse after the seat of the vehicle is again occupied and the
checking mechanism released. By the use of the foot rest G2, the spools are
similarly disengaged when the occupant of the vehicle stands in the same said foot
rest when depressed resting upon the vehicle body.
Should the vehicle be occupied at the time of danger, the auxiliary reins may
be tightened by the occupant, and his horse checked, by grasping the rein J, and
drawing or pulling upon the same, this being of particular advantage in the event
of the usual reins slipping beyond reach, or breaking.
In the modifications shown in Figs. 4 to 7, inclusive, I mount on the axle A³,
between the springs B 5, and the wheels C5, drums D5, provided with peripheral
grooves and outwardly directed hubs on which are formed serrations or teeth d5,
which are adapted to operate in connection with corresponding serrations or teeth
formed on the hub of the wheels.
Each of these drums is connected with a sleeve E 5, having at its outer end a

page_text: rim or projection F, adapted to fit in the corresponding groove formed in the inner
walls of the drum and around which said drum is free to revolve.
Each of said sleeves is provided with an upwardly directed extension G5, at
its inner end in which is mounted an eccentric g5, with which is connected
a rod H 5, mounted in bearings 5, secured to the axle and each of which is
extended forward and provided with a crank arm 6, with which is connected an
operated bar h 7.
Connected with the drums D5, on each side is a cord or line K5, which is
passed through an eye formed on a pivoted paw! k5, having an outwardly directed
crank arm 6, and then through a staple or loop L 5, said pawl and said staple or
loop being each connected with the springs B, or its supports and said lines is
then carried forward and in operation are connected with the bridle bit.
Formed on the inner flange or rim of each of the drums I) 5, is a notch or
recess M, and formed on the outer end of the pawl k5, is a projection 7, which
is adapted to operate in connection with each notch or recess M5, and any desired
number of said notches or recesses may be employed.
The operation will be readily understood from the foregoing description when
taken in connection with the accompanying drawing. The parts being in the
normal position or that shown in Figs. 4 and 5, if a driver desires to leave a
vehicle the bar 7, is raised, which operation throws the drums D5, outwardly and
causes the teeth d 5, thereon, to interlock with the corresponding teeth formed
on the hubs of the wheels, and if when the parts are in this position, the horse
should start to run, the drums D5 will be revolved by the wheels, as will be
readily understood, and the lines K5, will be wound thereon, and these lines will
operate on the bridle bit as will be understood and the horse will be brought to
a stop.
In this operation the pawls k5, will be drawn downwardly by the lines K5,
and the projection 7. thereon, operating in connection with the notches, or
recesses M5, in the outer rims of the drums will prevent the reverse movement
of said drums.
The bars 5, may be supported in any desired manner at their forward ends,
but I have shown in the drawing, a yoke or loop N 5, for these parts which
are secured to the forward end of the body of the vehicle or the running gear
thereof.
The construction shown in Fig. 6, is substantially the same as that herein-
before described, with the exception that the rods H³, are automatically operated,
by means of a spring supported seat 05. Pivotally secured to the under forward
side of this seat 05, is a downwardly depending rod or bar P5, which rests upon
the forward end of the plate P 6, the rear end of which is pivotally connected
with the bottom of the wagon body P 7, and the crank arm 6, of the rods,
or bars H5, is pivotally connected with a hanger R5, which is secured to the
plate P 6.
In this form of construction, when the occupant of the vehicle or driver
thereof, leaves it for any purpose, the seat O, is thrown backward by the
spring 05, and the rods or bars H 5, are operated as herein before described to
operate the drums D5, and cause the same to interlock with the hubs of the
wheels.
With my improved safety attachment, the horse will be kept in position in
which he is left, and it is rendered impossible for the horse to run away when he
is left alone or when he becomes frightened. The operation of this device is
also gentle but firmn, and the horse is checked before he has time to run or to get
started, and if at any time the usual reins by which he is guided should be broken,
the locking device may at once be operated, as herein before described.
My improved safety attachment, may be applied to any wagon, coach, carriage,
or other vehicle, and it will thus be seen that I accomplish the object of my inven-
tion, by means of a device which is simple in construction and operation, and one
which is comparatively inexpensive.

page_text: It will be seen that the rear sides of the teeth on the hubs of the wheels
are beveled or inclined and the front sides of the teeth on the drums are
similarly formed, and the object of this arrangement is to provide means
whereby when the lines K5, are unwound from the drums by the breaking of
the horse, the pawls k5 will drop into the notches or recesses № 5, in the rims of
the drums and prevent the further revolution of the drums, and further pressure
on the lines K 5.
The advantages resulting from the use of either form of my invention, will
be manifest to all who are conversant with the general class of devices to
which the same appertains, since I provide novel and perfectly operating means
for stopping the horse and holding the vehicle, without the aid of hitching lines
or the like.
my said
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The vehicle attachments for checking horses, herein shown and described,
comprising reins adapted to be secured to the harness of the horse, operative
devices connected with the vehicle wheels, and adapted to be connected with
said reins, whereby the revolution of the vehicle wheels is caused to tighten
said reins and to check the animal, and means for throwing the operative devices
into or out of engagement with the wheels, substantially as shown and described.
2. The vehicle attachments for checking horses, herein shown and described,
comprising operative devices, adapted to be thrown into contact with or disengaged
from the hubs of the wheels, reins adapted to be connected with the harness of
the horse, and to he secured to said operative devices, and means whereby said
operative devices, may be thrown into or out of engagement with the hubs of the
wheel, said parts being constructed, combined and arranged, as herein described,
and as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, of the drawing.
3. The vehicle attachments for checking horses, herein shown and described,
comprising operative devices, adapted to be thrown into contact with or disengaged
from the hubs of the wheels, reins adapted to be connected with the harness of
the horse, and to be secured to said operative devices, and means whereby said
operative devices may be thrown into or out of engagement with the hubs of the
wheel, said parts being constructed, combined and arranged, as he.cin described,
and as shown in Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive.
4. A vehicle attachment for checking horses, comprising a shaft gearing with
the wheel hubs, to revolve therewith, spools or drums upon said shaft, reins
adapted to be connected to the harness of the horse, and secured to said spools or
drums, an auxiliary seat above the vehicle seat and connected with the spools or
drums so as to maintain the same in revoluble relation with the hubs when the
seat is raised, and release the same from connection therewith, when the seat is
depressed and means whereby said seat is normally raised, substantially as shown
and described.
5. In a vehicle attachment for checking horses, the combination therewith, of
sliding sleeves mounted on the forward axle adjacent to each wheel, drums con-
nected with said sleeves and adapted to revolve thereon, each of said drums
being provided on its onter side or surface with projecting teeth, which are
adapted to interlock with corresponding teeth formed on the hubs of the wheels,
and means for operating said drums to cause them to engage with said hubs and
reins connecting said drums with the harness of the animal, said parts being
constructed, combined and arranged as herein described and as shown in Figs. 4 to 7
inclusive.
6. The combination with a wagon or other vehicle, of a sliding drum, mounted
on one of the axles and adapted to engage with the hub of one of the wheels, and
means for operating said drum, whereby it may be connected with and revolved by

page_text: the hub, said parts being constructed and arranged, substantially as shown and
described.
7. The combination with a wagon, carriage or other vehicle, of drums mounted
on the forward axle adjacent to the wheels, on each side said drums being con-
nected with sliding sleeves and adapted to revolve thereon, and said drums being
each provided on the outer surface thereof, with teeth adapted to engage with
corresponding teeth formed on the hubs of the wheels, and said sleeves being
provided with extensions in which are mounted eccentrics, rods or bars connected
with said eccentrics, and extending forward and upward, and provided with crank
arms by which they are operated; said crank arms being pivotally connected with
a rod or bar, and said drums being provided with lines or reins which are adapted
to be wound thereon, and also to be connected with the bridle bit, substantially as
shown and described.
Dated this 6th day of October 1895.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.