IMPROVEMENTS IN HORSE SHOES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Thomas Moorwood Rackstraw, of Sheffield, in the
County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN HORSE SHOES."
Sealed the 12th September 1879, and dated the 18th March 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Thomas Moorwood
Rackstraw at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th
September 1879.
GEORGE THOMAS MOORWOOD RACKSTRAW, of Sheffield, in the County of York.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HORSE SHOES."
My Invention relates to improvements in horseshoes, and more particularly refers
to the sharpening of horse shoes in frosty weather, and it consists chiefly in the
construction and use of a light overshoe, which may be made of either wrough
iron, cast malleable iron, cast steel, or other suitable metal, and which is adapted to
fit on to the ordinary shoe. The overshoe is provided with clips at the back, and
a sliding clip at the toe which can be drawn back and tightened against the fixed
shoe by means of a simple arrangement of a screw which is formed on the rear of
the sliding clip, and is provided with a nut which takes its bearing against a
suitable cross bar formed on the shoe, a narrow ledge or projection may run round
the shoe to give greater security against side slipping.
This second or overshoe is provided with spikes or suitable projections, and by
screwing back the nut the shoe can be readily taken off to sharpen, and as readily
replaced, thus saving the horse's feet.
GEORGE THOMAS MOORWOOD RACKSTRAW, of Sheffield, in the County of York.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Thomas Moorwood Rackstraw in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 15th September 1879.
GEORGE THOMAS MOORWOOD RACKSTRAW, of Sheffield, in the County of York.
IMPROVEMENTS IN HORSESHOES,"
The said Invention relates to the construction of a light overshoe, and to the
means of securing the same to the foot of the animal, and it is intended to be used
the said George inomas MOOFWood Hackstraw in NCAT & TONY BRICO
on the 15th September 1879.
GEORGE THOMAS MOORWOOD RACKSTRAW, of Sheffield, in the County of York.
IMPROVEMENTS IN HORSESHOES."
The said Invention relates to the construction of a light overshoe, and to the

page_text: in frosty weather, so as to avoid the damage to horses' feet caused by frequent
sharpening, and the operation of taking off the overshoe and replacing it again is so
simple that a stable-boy could put on a set of these overshoes in a few minutes.
I construct the overshoe, by preference, of malleable cast iron, but it may be
made of any suitable metal, and it consists of a light framework of suitable shape,
and provided with a ledge or projection running round the outside, into which the
ordinary shoe. fits; suitable solid clips pass over and take firm hold of the back of
the ordinary shoe, and an adjustable clip is made to grip firmly hold of the front
of the ordinary shoe. The adjustable clip passes through a slot formed in front of
the overshoe, which prevents any side movement; and its rear end which is
provided with a screw thread and a suitable nut or nuts passes through a cross bar,
which braces the body of the shoe together, and against which the nut or nuts bear
in drawing back the clip. In putting on the overshoe it is simply necessary to
unscrew the nuts, so that there is sufficient room between the clips, then slip it over
the ordinary shoe and tighten up the nut or nuts, which will draw up the front
sliding clip and hold the overshoe firmly and securely to the animal's foot. I
provide the overshoe with spikes or "caulks" of any desirable shape or arrange-
ment, which may be either cast on to the frame, or they may be screwed in as
preferred. And in order that my said Invention may be more fully understood I
shall more particularly describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Fig. 1 of the Drawings is a plan of an overshoe constructed according to my
Invention. A is the frame; B is the projecting ledge; C, C, are the two fast or
solid clips; D is the sliding adjustable clip; E is the slot through which D works;
F is the screw thread on the rear of D; G is the nut or nuts for tightening the
clip D; H is the crossbar against which the nuts G bear.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the sliding adjustable clip D with the nuts G.
Fig. 3 is a view of the overshoe when fixed to the animal's foot over the ordinary
shoe J. I; I, are the spikes or "caulks."
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that the shape of the shoe may be varied, and
various modifications in the arrangements of the parts may also be made, but what
I consider novel and original, and therefor claim as the Invention secured to me by
the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is, the construction, application, and
use of overshoes for horses and similar animals, intended to clip over and on to the
ordinary shoes, and provided with a sliding adjustable front clip for the purpose of
securing the same, substantially as above described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Thomas Moorwood Rackstraw, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.