Improvements in Devices for Disengaging Animals of Draft from Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 27th May, 1897-Accepted, 10th July, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Disengaging Animals of Draft
from Vehicles.
I, RUDOLF WULFING, at 23 Bayreuther-street, Berlin W. Kingdom of Prussia, Empire
of Germany Private Man 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 improvements in devices for readily unhitching animals
of draft from vehicles in case they fall, become unruly or run away; and the
object of my invention is to provide a new and improved attachment to the
whiffle-trees, poles and shafts of vehicles by means of which the horses or other
animals of draft can readily be disengaged in case of necessity, by merely pulling
a chain or strap from the driver's seat.
In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a horizontal view, Fig. 2 is an enlarged
detail plan view of my improved hitching device closed, the top plate being removed.
Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the same on the line xx of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 the unhitching device being opened.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
consists of two jaws a b of which the jaw b is fixed, it being
to the end of the whiffle tree A or made integral therewith.
the jaw a is pivoted to the fixed jaw b.
The unhitching device
either riveted or bolted
By means of a pivot c
Behind the pivot c the pivoted jaw a is provided with a projection d, the end of
which, when the jaws are closed, rests and abuts against the end of a lug g¹ formed
on the pivoted end of a lever f mounted on a pivot g between the jaws and
behind the pivot c, which pivot is held between the cover plates e e. A spring h bears
against said lever f and normally holds the same in such position that the end of the
lug g¹ rests on and abuts against the end of the projection d.
When the parts are in this position it impossible to separate the jaws, and the
said jaws securely hold the rings or lings B on the ends of the traces.
Chains are fastened to the free ends of the levers f and pass through guide-tubes o
on the rear side of the whiffle-tree to the center of the same, where they are united,
to be extended up to the driver's seat. To protect the lever f and spring h from dirt
and dust, a cap or casing n is fastened on the end of the whiffle-tree and to the plates e,
so as to surround the above mentioned parts and protect them. Ordinarily the
jaws are closed, and, as stated, are securely held in closed position by the lug g, which
abuts against the end of the projection d.
In case the horse or other animals of draft fall, become unmanageable or run away,
all that is necessary is to pull the chain from the driver's seat, so as to disengage
the traces from said jaws.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :
1. In an unhitching device, the combination with a fixed jaw of a pivoted jaw
having a projection, a pivoted lever having a lug, the end of which can abut against

page_text: the end of the said projection when the jaws are in closed position, a spring acting on
said lever and a chain connected with the lever, for turning the same so as to shift
the lug from the end of the projection on the pivoted jaw substantially as set
forth.
2. In an unhitching device the combination with a fixed jaw of a pivoted jaw
having a projection a lever pivoted between two plates above and below the jaws,
which lever has a lug that can abut against the end of the projection on the pivoted
jaw a spring acting on said lever, a chain connected with the free end of said lever
and a casing surrounding the plates between which the lever is pivoted substantially
as set forth.