IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BITS FOR HORSES AND ANIMALS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Vincenzo Count di Tergolina, of Bernard Street,
Russell Square, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BITS FOR HORSES AND ANIMALS."
Sealed the 19th July 1872, and dated the 23rd January 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Vincenzo Count di
Tergolina at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 23rd January 1872.
I, VINCENZO Count DI TERGOLINA, of Bernard Street, Russell Square,
in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BITS FOR HORSES AND
ANIMALS," to be as follows:-
The improvements consist in constructing bits with two swivels or
joints in or on the mouth bar at or near the ends thereof, and with a
side plate to go outside the mouth of the animal on each of the two outer
of the three parts or members of the mouth bar constituted by such
arrangement of the swivels or joints. The plates lie generally or

page_text: approximately in a plane at right angles to the mouth bar when the three
members are fully stretched or opened, and have on the outer face a pro-
jecting lug or eye piece to which the reins are by rings or fastenings
connected, the intention being by pulling the reins to make the outer
members of the mouth bar or the inner faces or back edges of the plates
(or otherwise the outer members of the mouth bar, together with the
inner faces or back edges of the plates) to bear against the outside of
the mouth of the animal. It is apprehended that bits thus constructed
will be less likely to cut or injure the mouth than those ordinarily
in use.
A compromise is also intended between bits as above set forth and
those (ordinarily in use) which have but one swivel or joint at the
middle of the mouth bar, such compromise consisting in the application
of side plates to go outside the mouth of the animal on and at or near to
the end of each of the two members or parts constituted by this arrange-
ment. In this case also the side plates are to have a projecting lug or
eye piece for the rein connections, as above stated.
And the improvements further include constructing as follows:-The
side levers of bits to be used as curb bits or with a curb, namely, the
constructing them with the lower ends or portions made heavier or
loaded (or so that they may be loaded) to make them heavier than the
upper ends or portions. The intention is to produce (in degree or ten-
dency) by the disposal of weight in the side levers a self-acting prompt
relief from the pull or pressure on the mouth when the rider or driver
releases or slackens the reins, instead of or in addition to the ordinary
jogging action, which by itself (it is apprehended) does not afford so
immediately sensitive a relief.
In performing the Invention it is contemplated to employ pin joints,
shackle joints, eye or ring joints, or any convenient joints in the mouth
bar, and to forge in one each outer member and its side plate, or to
rivet together each outer member and its side plate; and the lug or eye
piece is to be forged or rivetted on. The side plates sometimes to be in
perforated or open work, and ornamented or not at pleasure; the back
edges or portions of the plates to be curved or rounded off, if gentleness
of action desired, or made to project inwards if severity desired; or the
lugs to project boldly for the same object, and sometimes to be double
lugs admitting of connecting the reins with a differing degree of
leverage.

page_text: For curbs the side plates to be sometimes prolonged downwards to
prevent the curb being mastered by the horse.
The side plates to have loops or rings for attachment of suspending
straps or other gear, sometimes at top of the plates and sometimes at
front or back edge as well as at the top.
The side levers (for curbs) sometimes to taper regularly or irregularly,
or to be loaded by an applied or forged on weight, ornamented or plain,
and to have (as in ordinary side levers) rings or eyes for pulling from at
varying degrees of leverage. The top ends of the side levers to pass
through the lugs of the side plates.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Vincenzo Count di Tergolina in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 20th July 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, VINCENZO
Count DI TERGOLINA, of Bernard Street, Russell Square, in the County
of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Vincenzo Count di Tergolina, Her special
licence that I, the said Vincenzo Count di Tergolina, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Vincenzo Count di
Tergolina, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BITS FOR HORSES AND ANIMALS,” upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Vincenzo Count di
Tergolina, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what

page_text: '
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Vincenzo Count di Tergolina, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
F
The improvements consist in constructing bits with two swivels or.
joints in or on the mouth bar at or near the ends thereof, and with a side
plate to go outside the mouth of the animal on each of the two outer of
the three parts or members of the mouth bar constituted by such
arrangement of the swivels or joints. The plates lie generally or
approximately in a plane at right angles to the mouth bar when the
three members are fully stretched or opened, and have on the outer face
a projecting lug or eye piece to which the reins are by rings or fastenings
connected, the intention being by pulling the reins to make the outer
members of the mouth bar or the inner faces or back edges of the plates
(or otherwise the outer members of the mouth bar, together with the
inner faces or back edges of the plates) to bear against the outside of
the mouth of the animal. It is apprehended that bits thus constructed
will be less likely to cut or injure the mouth than those ordinarily
in use.
A compromise is also intended between bits as above set forth and
those (ordinarily in use) which have but one swivel or joint at the middle
of the mouth bar, such compromise consisting in the application of side
plates to go outside the mouth of the animal on and at or near to the
end of each of the two members or parts constituted by this arrange-
ment. In this case also the side plates are to have a projecting lug or
eye piece for the rein connections as above stated.
And the improvements further include constructing as follows:-The
side levers of bits to be used as curb bits or with a curb, namely, the
constructing them with the lower ends or portions made heavier or
loaded (or so that they may be loaded), to make them heavier than the
upper ends or portions. The intention is to produce (in degree or ten-
dency) by the disposal of weight in the side levers a self-acting prompt
relief from the pull or pressure on the mouth when the rider or driver

page_text: releases or slackens the reins, instead of or in addition to the ordinary
jogging action, which by itself (it is apprehended) does not afford so
immediately sensitive a relief.
In performing the Invention it is contemplated to employ pin joints,
shackle joints, eye or ring joints, or any convenient joints in the mouth
bar, and to forge in one each outer member and its side plate, or to rivet
together each outer member and its side plate, and the lug or eye piece
is to be forged or rivetted on. The side plates sometimes to be in
perforated or open work, and ornamented or not at pleasure. The back
edges or portions of the plates to be curved or rounded off if gentleness
of action desired, or made to project inwards if severity desired; or the
lugs to project boldly for the same object, and sometimes to be double
lugs admitting of connecting the reins with a differing degree of
leverage.
For curbs the side plates to be sometimes prolonged downwards to
prevent the curb being mastered by the horse.
The side plates to have loops or rings for attachment of suspending
straps or other gear, sometimes at top of the plates, and sometimes at
front or back edge as well as at the top.
The side levers (for curbs) sometimes to taper regularly or irregularly,
or to be loaded by an applied or forged on weight, ornamented or plain,
and to have (as in ordinary side levers) rings or eyes for pulling from at
varying degrees of leverage. The top ends of the side levers to pass
through the lugs of the side plates.
The accompanying Drawings illustrate the improvements.
Figure 1 is a front view of the three membered construction. a is the
middle member of the mouth bar with joints at b, b, beyond which the
bar is continued in each direction, and united to or formed with the
cheek plates c, c, and the lugs or eye pieces d on the plates.
also have suspending eyes e for the ordinary head straps f;
swivel rings, fasteners, or connections between the lugs d and the
reins h, h.
The plates
9, 9, are
Figures 2, 2º, 2º, 2º, 2ª, and 2º, are face or side views of various
patterns of the plates c, more or less ornamental, and some of them
constructed of pierced or open work, d lugs, and e suspending eyes, as
before.

page_text: The cheek plates may also be furnished with one side lug e*, as at
Figure 2, or with two side lugs e*, e*, as at Figure 25, in addition to the
suspending lug e. These will serve for strap or head gear or bearing
rein, and one of them for the application of a curb chain. The back
edges or portions of the plates (marked × × in Figure 1) may be curved
or rounded off outwards if gentleness of action be desired, or may be
made with square edges or to project inwards if severity be desired, or
severity may be effected by a bold projection of the lugs d, or by double
lugs admitting of connecting the reins with a varying degree of
leverage.
Also gentleness may be had by forming the joints b, b, wider apart
and nearer to the cheek plates, as in Figure 1", and these may be con-
structed with a stop limiting the movement of the joint.
The bit represented at Figure 1' is similar to that at Figure 1, but
with commoner or cheaper joints b, b.
That at Figure 1° is also somewhat similar, but here the joints are
formed by eyes b* projecting (inwards) from the cheek plates, threaded
or passing loosely through holes at or near to the ends of the mouth
bar.
]
Figure 1ª illustrates a modification in which the mouth bar is cranked 2
to lie back upon the tongue after an usual fashion, but with joints b, b,
and cheek plates, etc., in accordance with this Invention.
Figures 3 and 3* are modifications of the cheek plates c, shewing the
plates prolonged downwards to obtain different degrees of power. d², d²,
are lugs additional to d, to one or other of which the reins may be 2
connected.
"
Figure 4 illustrates the "compromise description of bit above set
forth by a representation of an ordinary snaffle bit with one joint &* at
the middle of the (two membered) mouth bar, but with cheek plates c
and lugs & in accordance with the Invention.
3
Figure 5 illustrates the improved side levers for curb bits. a is the
mouth bar; b, b, its joints; and c, c, cheek with lugs d, all as before;
m, m, are the improved side levers shewn as constructed of a somewhat
ornamental pattern, but notably much stouter or heavier at the lower ends
than at the upper. The upper ends furnished with rings for attachment 3
of head strap pass through the lugs d on the plates; m*, m*, arc cycs

page_text: for rings or straps for application of the reins at differing degrees of
leverage.
Figure 5 shews a still heavier loaded side lever also with eyes m*.
The side levers may taper regularly or irregularly, or may be loaded by
an applied or forged on weight, ornamental or plain.
In conclusion I claim the improvements herein set forth at the com-
mencement of this Specification, and the modes of carrying them
into effect, as herein described and as represented in the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Vincenzo Count di Tergolina, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of July, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
two.
VINCENZO COUNT DI TERGOLINA. (L.s.)