IMPROVEMENTS IN HARNESS AND THE SHAFTS OF CARRIAGES
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Money Carter, of Monmouth, for the Inven-
tion of IMPROVEMENTS IN HARNESS AND THE SHAFTS OF CARRIAGES."
Sealed the 24th October 1862, and dated the 30th April 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Money Carter at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th April 1862.
I, JOHN MONEY CARTER, of Monmouth, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HARNESS AND IN THE SHAFTS OF. CAR-
RIAGES," to be as follows, that is to say:-
My Invention has for its object the improvement of harness of all kinds,
but relates more particularly to the single and double harness for private and
other carriages, and consists, first, in dispensing with the ordinary leather or
other pliant traces. By attaching the ends of the shafts (in single harness)
to the harness at the draught-eye or otherwise, as may be found desirable to the
ordinary collar or breast part.
Secondly, in dispensing with the inconvenience of. passing the ends of the
shafts through the tugs, whenever the horse is put to or taken from the
carriage, by forming the shafts with an opening, through which a tug of the
ordinary form can be passed, or to which a plain. tug.or strap with a double
stop can be adapted, or by making the tugs and back bands, so that they can
be separated and fastened together at pleasure.
Thirdly, in preventing the shafts from rising, without the necessity of
encircling them with a portion of the back or belly band, by forming a suitable

page_text: tach at the end of the tug, or under the shaft, and attaching the belly band
and surcingle thereto.
Fourthly, in preventing the twisting of the reins by a bar placed nearly
across the interior of the terrot.
Fifthly, in preventing, when the horse is in motion, the flapping of the
straps which support the traces, as used in double harness, by having a
recepticle on each side of the pad, or in the trace, to permit the free entrance
and exit of that portion of each strap.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Money Carter in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th October 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
MONEY CARTER, of Monmouth, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John Money Carter, Her special licence that I, the said John Money Carter, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Money
Carter, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agrec
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 HARNESS AND THE
SHAFTS OF CARRIAGES," upon the condition (amongst others) that 1, the said
John Money Carter, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under , or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what 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 John Money Carter, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the ful-
lowing statement :-
My Invention has for its object improvements in barness.
The first

page_text: improvement of the said Invention consists in dispensing with the ordinary
leather or other pliant traces hitherto used. This improvement I perform
in the following manner, and as illustrated in the accompanying Drawing:-
Figure 1 represents a side view, and Figure 2 a back view of that portion
of the hame, where the draught-eye is usually placed; Figure 3 represents
the shaft. At the point a is a hook d, which is made so as to enter the part b
in Figure 2. When inserted therein it is secured by the point of the book
assuming a horizontal position by means of a hinge, as shewn in Figure 4.
The shaft is rigid laterally, which enables the horse to turn the carriage by
his collar, but it bends vertically at the part e, Figure 3 and Figure 5, by
means of a hinge, to permit the wheels of the carriage to rise and fall over
rough ground, without affecting the collar, as well as to give the horse
the freedom which bis neck and shoulders require. The shafts are bent
to the formation of the horse, Figure 5, and when attached are used as
traces.
The whole of the shaft to ensure strength is made of iron, and the greater
portion of it tubular. By the shaft being hollow, while its weight is of course
considerably reduced, I am enabled to adjust it to different lengths. This is
effected by the parts a and f, Figure-3, sliding after the manner of. telescopes
into the parts g and h respectively. When the proper length is fixed on, the
parts a and fare secured by screws passing through them and the tubes, three
or four holes being made in the smaller part, and one in the tube a small
distance from its end:
The second advantage of my Invention, videlicit, reducing the size of the
ordinary tugs, which require to be sufficiently large to admit the points of
the shafts to be passed through them, and which my Invention dispenses
with, is effected by dividing and opening a portion of the shaft k, Figure 5,
("bird's-eye view,") and Figure 3, and sliding the tug on to the part o,
which is next the horse. At one end of the part is a binge, so that it
can be easily raised, and at the other end of the part k,
a pin to prevent the tug passing off the part o, as well as
the shaft.
Figure 5, is
to strengthen
The third advantage, videlicit, preventing the shafts from rising without the
necessity for encircling them with a portion of the back band is effected by
attaching the surcingle to the under part of each tug by means of a metal
loop, one on each tug, and buckling the straps together under the horse.
The fourth advantage, videlicit, preventing the twisting of the reins, is effected
by a bar within the terrett, as shewn in Figure 6, the rein being placed in the
upper or narrow portion when in use.

page_text: The fifth advantage, videliçit, preventing the flapping of the straps which sup-
port the traces in ordinary double barness, is effected by sinking in the cushion
of the pad or saddle a sufficient space for the free upward and downward action
of the straps. The upper end of the straps. having a bar across it, wider than
the aperture to prevent its quitting the pad.
Having now fully described and set forth the nature of my said Invention of
improvements in harness and the shafts of carriages, together with the best
means I am acquainted with for carrying the same into practical effect, it only
remains for me to add, that I do not confine myself to the precise details
herein described, as modifications might easily be made in respect to them,
without in any way departing from the principles of my Invention, but what I
claim as my Invention, is,―
Firstly, the attachment of the ends or points of the shafts to the hame or
other receptacle fastened on to the collar or other breast part, as also the
method as set forth for regulating the length of the shaft.
Secondly, dividing a portion of the shaft lengthways, and having an opening
in the same for admitting the tug.
Thirdly, the attachment of the surcingle to the under part of the tug.
Fourthly, a bar within the terrett, with an opening, or a terrett which has
an opening, and the height of the interior of which, or that part intended for
the reins is less than the width of the reins.
Fifthly, a receptacle for that portion of the straps which support the
traces in double harness which is surplus, caused by the action of the
horse.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Money Carter, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
JAMES ISHERWOOD, Serjeant,
Royal Monmouth Militia,
Monmouth.
J. M. CARTER. (L.S.)