Improved Inflatable Padding for Harness.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 18th June, 1892-Accepted, 30th July, 1832
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Inflatable Padding for Harness.
I, JOHN BENNEZET HAINES Jr. of 1625 Cayuga Street in the City and
County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania and United States of America,
Rubber Dealer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
it is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
Harness prior to my invention had either not been padded at all, or had been
padded with hair or some other similar substance which got hardened and lumpy
and galled the animal on the parts where the pressure was brought to bear and
which also rotted under the influence of sweat.
My invention has mainly for its object distributing the pressure on the animal
over a much larger surface of the animal and making the padding adjust itself
automatically to the form of the animal and fit, within very wide limits different
animals and adjust automatically to the muscular movements of the animals.
My invention consists mainly in placing an inflated bag of rubber or similar
material on the harness so that it will lie between the harness and the animal in
such places as may be advantageous, and in the various contrivances introduced
whereby such a pad can be practically and cheaply constructed.
Figure 1 is a view of my invented padding applied to a riding saddle.
Figure 2 is a transverse view of the same on the line a-x of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a view of my padding applied to a cart saddle.
Figure 4 is a view of my padding applied to a crupper.
Figures 5 show various bands to which the padding is applied.
Figures 6 are views of a bag forming the pad and
Figures 7 a view and cross-section of my padding to a collar.
The bag B, consisting of rubber or similar substance, is placed on the part of
the harness A opposite which the pressure is brought to bear, on the animal, and
is secured to the harness by suitable means, a very good way of securing it is by
attaching to this portion of the harness a piece of cloth or other material C, and
drawing it close around the bag B. This method of securing it has the advantages
in that the bag can be readily removed to substitute a new bag, and in providing
that a layer of textile or other material which is preferably not water-proof should
be placed between the animal and the pad, so that the sweat would be absorbed,
Other
and a slight circulation of air between the pad and the animal secured.
means, however, such as staples s, s, shown in Figures 5, may be used.
I construct the inflatable bag B, forming the padding, of some air tight or
substantially air tight material, rubber cloth or sheet rubber being especially
advantageous for this purpose. In saddles and collars and other parts of the
harness, the shape of the bag will be substantially that of the padding formerly
used in the same position, though a portion of the padding formerly used and
having the usual form may be used in connection with the bag, as is shown with
reference to the cross section of the collar in Figures 7. In parts of the harness
in which padding has not been used the inflated bag may be of any suitable shape
to lie between the harness and the animal.
1 construct this bag of sufficiently flexible material to fit closely against the
animal, and to hold its shape where it lies against the harness.
I provide the bag which is inflated, B, with a port of entrance D, by which
it is inflated. I provide this port D, with a stem F, through which the inflating
fluid is injected, which stem is provided with a valve.
To the stem F, I connect a movable tube G which I use to get the mouth of the
injector as far as possible from the saddle or other part of harness. Of course

page_text: the use of the tube G is entirely optional and the means by which the inflating
fluid is conveyed into the bag B and by which it is retained therein may be
greatly varied.
In the application of my padding to a collar the ordinary parts may be con-
structed in the usual manner, except that the padding of hair is replaced by
a bag, inflated with a suitable fluid such as air (see Figures 7), or partly replaced
thereby.
In the application of my invented inflated padding to a saddle, the shape of the
bag B, is usually that of the padding which it replaces in whole or in part, (see
Figures 1 and 2). Where a flat padding of considerable width but small
thickness is required, it may be constructed with the material forming the side
towards the animal fastened to the side towards the harness in several places, as
is shown in several of the drawings of Figures 5, of which "A" denotes the breast
band and "B" a girth, and "C" various smaller straps which any harness maker,
will recognize. In some of the straps, the pad is shown secured to the harness by
staples s, s, which penetrate the leather on which they are placed or, in the case of
others may be held in place as herein before described by a cover C, C, which
may or may not penetrate into the indentations formed by the joining of the sides
of the bag. In the application of my invented padding to a cart-saddle I place
the bags B, B, on the leather cover A (see Figure 3) and cover the bags with a
cover C, stitched around them as shown. Any of these bags may be secured to
the harness in other manners than those described; but I regard those described as
the best manners of so attaching them.
The harness can be and should be kept uninflated. It is inflated when about
to be used and, being placed on the animal, it automatically adapts itself to the
animal on which it is placed. When taken off, the air can be allowed to escape
from the bag or bags forming the padding and, consequently the harness can be
stowed in a very small compass.
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. An inflatable padding for harness consisting of an inflatable bag constructed
independently of the harness, and composed of a substantially air tight material,
placed upon and secured to the harness, on the side towards the animal, said bag
being provided with a port of entrance for the inflating fluid and a stopper for
retaining the inflating fluid in the bag.
2. An improved harness padding, consisting of an inflatable bag made of rubber
or similar material placed on the portion of the harness next the animal at the
parts where pressure is brought to bear on the animal, and held in position by a
cover covering the inflatable bag on the side towards the animal, which cover is
secured to the harness around the edges of the inflatable bag.
3. The particular constructions shown in Figures 1 and 2 Figure 3 Figure 4,
Figures 5 and Figures 7 respectively whereby an inflatable bag of flexible
material is interposed between the harness and the animal and held in place on the
harness.
Dated this 21st day of May 1802
Witnesses:
MARK WILKS COLLET.
LUCIEN E. PICOLET.
JOHN BENNEZET HAINES, JR.