AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF SLIP COUPLING OR DETACHING HOOK
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Pearson Charles Langshaw, Estate Agent, Storrington,
Sussex, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF SLIP COUPLING
OR DETACHING HOOK."
Sealed the 15th November 1878, and dated the 18th May 1878
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Pearson Charles Langshaw
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th May 1878.
PEARSON CHARLES LANGSHAW, Estate Agent, Storrington, Sussex. "AN IMPROVED
CONSTRUCTION OF SLIP COUPLING OR DETACHING HOOK.".
The object of this Invention is the construction of a hook or coupling which will,
when connected with the holding gear of dogs or other animals, securely retain
them, and also admit of their instant release when desired.
The improvements consist in forming the hook in two parts, the rounded hook
portion with its projecting open termination forming one part, and the shank and
ring by which the hook is connected permanently with the holding strap, cord, or
chain the other part.
The two separate parts, when connected by a joint, form the hook, the means
employed for enabling the same to retain or release the animal in connection there-
with being accomplished by the following arrangement of parts:-The two parts of
the hook are jointed together in a manner which will admit of the front terminating
portion to swivel or fall back when not retained by a spring link herein-after
described. The said spring link is secured to and projects from the shank or back
portion of the hook, its spring tendancy being in a downward direction, its normal
position is such that it will yield to and snap hold of the inclined end of the front
swivelling portion of the hook when pressed against it at the time of closing in and
securing the attachments connecting the same with the dogs or other animals.
The projecting end of the spring link is connected with a cord which passes
direct to the hand of the person in charge of and holding the dogs.

page_text: The straps by which the dogs are held may be tubular, in which case the cord
connected with the spring link may pass through the same.
When the hook is closed so as to retain the dogs or other animals, the cord
connected with the spring link is slack, but when it is desired to release or free the
dogs, a pull at the said string withdraws the spring link from the front portion of 5
the hook, which being released immediately falls back and slips the cord, strap,
chain, or other attachment, and thus allows freedom to the animals it held in
check:
Although I have described my Invention as employed for retaining and releasing
animals, it is also applicable for coupling together articles or bodies having contrary 10
forces which require at a given time to be instantly released or separated.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Pearson Charles Langshaw in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th November 1878.
PEARSON CHARLES LANGSHAW, of Storrington, in the County of Sussex, Estate
Agent. "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF SLIP COUPLING OR DETACHING HOOK."
The object of this Invention is the construction of a slip hook or coupling
connected with a leash or strap which is designed for the purpose of retaining
or releasing dogs or other animals at the will of the person having them in
charge.
The improvements may be thus described:-The hook is composed of the front
or slip portion which is hinged to the back or shank portion at a point a little
above the bend or hook.
A spring connected with and projecting upwards in a line with the inner surface
of the shank presses on a tongue projecting from a link hinged to the upper portion
of the shank. The position of this spring link is such that when the upper hinged
front portion of the hook is forced against it (at the time of closing in the hook so as
to secure the dogs), it will snap too and secure the same in such a manner that any
ring, link, or other attachment with the dog, which is placed in the hook, will be
securely retained.
The front portion of the spring link is provided with a lip, through which a hole
is made for the purpose of securing thereto a string which passes through a tubular
portion of the leash to the hand of the man in charge of the dog or dogs; thus
when it is desired that the dogs shall be released, a pull at the string raises the
spring link which at once allows the released hinged front portion of the hook to
drop and so set the dogs free.
In order that the Invention may be clearly understood and explained in detail,
I have hereunto annexed a Sheet of Drawings made about full size, letters of
reference being marked thereupon.
The Drawing represents a full size view of the hook when closed connected with
its leash. The dotted lines shew the hook when open at the time the dogs are
released.

page_text: C,
a is the back or shank of the hook; b, the hinged or front portion of the same;
the spring secured to the shank a; d is a tongue of metal forming a portion of
the spring link d¹; this link is secured by a hinge f to the shank a, and is provided
at its opposite end with a terminating lip g, through which a hole is made for the
purpose of having secured thereto the string h. This string passes through the
tube of the leash i to the hand of the person having the dogs in charge. This leash
is provided with swivels which prevents any twisting or turning of the dogs
about disturbing the link d. It will thus be seen that at the time the dogs are
being secured to the leash, the hinged front portion of the hook is closed too against
the spring link d', which raises the saine until it is caught by the snap of the link
over its end, in which position it is firmly retained.
The release of the hinged front portion of the hook is effected by a simple pull at
the string which raises the link d¹, and so allows the hook to drop into the
position shewn in dots, thus instantly releasing the dogs or other animals in
charge.
Having now described the nature of my Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I would wish it to be understood in conclusion that I claim the novel
combination and construction of parts forming the hook to act in the manner and
for the purpose as herein substantially described, and set forth in the Drawing
annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Pearson Charles Langshaw, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight bundred and seventy-eight
PEARSON CHARLES LANGSHAW. (L.S.)