AN IMPROVED MODE OF FITTING CERTAIN GIRTHS AND STRAPS
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
THANG HARRADINE, of Holywell-cum-Reedingworth, in the County of
Huntingdon, Farmer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present. Majesty Queen Victoria, in and by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster,
the Twentieth day of April, One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, did give and grant unto me, the said
John Thang Harradine, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said John Thang Harradine, my exors, admors, and
assigns, and every of them, by myself and themselves, or by my and their deputy
or deputies, servants or agents, or such others as I, the said John Thang
Harradine, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my
Invention of "AN IMPROVED MODE OF FITTING CERTAIN GIRTHS AND STRAPS;"
in which said Letters Patent there is contained amongst others a proviso obliging
me, the said John Thang Harradine, by an instrument in writing under my.
hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause
the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said recited
Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereto bad, will more
fulle anneer

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Johu Thang Harradine, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters
marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention of An Improved Mode of Fitting certain Girths and Straps
consists,―
Firstly, in a mode of fitting girths and straps to saddles.
Secondly, in a mode of fitting elastic straps to trowsers.
Thirdly, in a mode of fitting elastic straps to gaiters.
Fourthly, in a mode of fitting straps to form an elastic fastening for various
articles of dress.
Fifthly, in a mode of fitting elastic straps to carriages when used as a
substitute for metal springs.
Sixthly, in a mode of fitting elastic straps to apparatus for holding letters
and papers.
My first improvement in fitting girths and straps to saddles is shewn in the
Drawings, Figures 1 and 2. The same letters refer to similar parts in all the
accompanying Drawings.
Figure 1 is a plan of the saddle, with part of the flap removed to shew the
position and arrangement of the straps for girths. A, A, A, A, is a leather
frame attached to the saddletree. B, B, B, are straps of vulcanised caoutchouc
affixed to the saddletree at 6, which may be rivetted as here shewn, or turned
over the tree of the saddle and cemented. C, C, C, are leather straps fitted
to the ends of the straps B, B, B, for the reception of the ordinary girth
buckles.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the saddle, with the flap raised, shewing the
improved straps in their places, with the ends of the girth attached thereto.
I am aware that elastic girths have been before used; I do not, therefore,
claim the use of elastic girths. What I claim as new, and constituting my
improvement, is the peculiar mode of fitting straps of vulcanised caoutchouc
to the saddletree within the body of the saddle, which I have found conducive
of ease alike to the horse and its rider.
My second improvement consists in a mode of fitting straps to trowsers, and
is shewn in the Drawings, Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Figure 3 is a front view of the apparatus; Figure 4, a back view; and
Figure 5, a side or edge view thereof. D, D, is a slight frame of metal, to be
sewn or otherwise attached to the inside of the leg of the trowsers. Each of
the upper corners of this frame are turned over a wire at d, d, which wire

page_text: carries a central roller at e, turning freely thereon. A strap of vulcanised
caoutchouc F is fastened to the lower edge of the frame D, either by rivets, as
here shewn, or by turning the caoutchouc strap over and cementing it at the
back thereof, f, brought up over the roller e, and attached to a metal stud-
piece G, which works up and down between the guides D', D', which are
formed in the frame. The tension of the elastic strap F holds the stud-piece
G at the top of the frame, but, yielding to the application of a superior force,
it may be drawn down to the lower part thereof, is indicated by the dotted
lines. One of these apparatus being sewn or otherwise affixed within both
sides of the trowsers leg, a hole is worked in each side of the boot, or a strap,
loop, or ring of metal or other material is affixed thereto for the reception of
the stud G. On inserting the stud G into this hole, loop, or ring, the trowsers
are held down as required, the free movement of the leg being permitted by the
play of the elastic strap F and sliding of the stud G.
Figure 6 shews another improvement in fitting straps to trowsers. H is the
upper part or waistband of the trowsers. h, h, are straps of vulcanised
caoutchouc inserted between the material of which the trowsers are made and
the lining thereof, the two ends being attached to the back and front part of
the trowsers, and tending to draw them together. When such trowsers are
buttoned on to the wearer the strap h, h, is extended, and by its elasticity
draws the waistband of the trowsers close to the person above the hip, super-
seding the use of braces to support them.
My third improvement in a mode of fitting straps to gaiters is shewn in the
Drawing, Figure 7. I is the gaiter; i, i, is a strap of vulcanised caoutchouc
inserted between the outer fabric of the gaiter and its lining, and furnished at
each cud with a stud G. The shoe is furnished with a hole, loop, or ring of
metal or other material for the reception of the stud G', by which means the
gaiter is held in its place without the necessity for any strap underneath the
foot. By this mode of fitting straps to gaiters great facility is afforded for
connecting and disconnecting them with increased cleanliness.
My fourth improvement in fitting straps to form an elastic fastening for
various articles of dress is shewn in the Drawings, Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
and 13.
Figure 8 is a plan of the apparatus, Figure 9 a longitudinal elevation, and
Figure 10 an end view thereof, both shown partly in section. K, K¹,' is a
thin plate or frame of metal, to be shewn or otherwise affixed to the coat,
cloak, or other article of dress. L is a strap of vulcanised caoutchouc, fastened
by one end to the back of the plate K₁ at 1, the other end being led over a

page_text: roller at m, is attached to a hook M, which slides, backward and forward in the
slot of the plate K. This apparatus being affixed to one side of a coat or
cloak, a buttonhole is worked in the opposite side, or a loop, eye, or ring of
metal is affixed thereto, for: the reception of the hook M, thus affording a ready
means of fastening the two sides of the garment together, free from the rigidity
attending the use of buttons, hooks and eyes, or other ordinary fastenings.
Figure 11 is a plan, and Figure 12 a longitudinal section of another arrange-
ment for the same purpose. K³, K³, is a cylindrical case or tube of metal,
having a slot from end to end of its upper surface. M³ is a hook projecting
through the slot, but formed into a cylinder within the tube, and fastened by
its indented edge or otherwise at 0¹ to one end of a cylindrical strap of
vulcanised caoutchouc n, the other end of the strap being made fast to the
end of the cylindrical case K. This apparatus being affixed to one side of
any garment, a buttonhole, loop, or ring is to be placed on the other side for
the reception of the hook M³. The elasticity of the strap n yielding to superior
force, allows the hook to be drawn to the opposite end of the apparatus, as is
shewn by the dotted lines. Figure 13 is a cross section of the apparatus,
shewing the cylindrical casing, hook, and strap of vulcanized caoutchouc, as
seen endways.
Figure 14 shews my improved mode of fitting straps to form an elastic
fastening for the collars of coats and cloaks. P is a strap of vulcanised
caoutchouc inserted within the collar of the coat or cloak, one end being made
fast thereto at p. At the other end of the strap is secured a loop, ring, or
other suitable means of fastening it to a stud, button, or other contrivance on
the opposite side of the collar, as at p', thus uniting, by an elastic connection,
the two sides of the garment.
My fifth improvement in the mode of fitting elastic straps to carriages when
used as a substitute for metal springs is shewn at Figures 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,
20, 21, 22, and 23.
In Figure 15, Q is the lower rail of a gig or cart frame, to which are bolted
the guide blocks r, r³, to receive the axle of the vehicle s.
T is a strap of
vulcanized caoutchouc, one end of which t is fastened to an iron hoop fixed
to the rail Q, and cemented, from whence it passes down under a roller on the
lower end of the block r, over the axle s, under the roller at the bottom of
the block r, up to a tightening roller at t, furnished with a pall and ratchet
for giving any required tension to the strap. R is a draught or stay bar
jointed at one end to the axle s, and at the other to the gig or cart frame.
The elasticity of the strap T permits the axle to play up and down between

page_text: the guide blocks r, r³, giving the requisite easy movement to the vehicle, while
the draught is applied directly to the axles by means of the stay bar R.
Figure 16 shews another mode of fitting elastic straps to carriages when used
as a substitute for metal springs. Q is the bottom rail of the vehicle, to
which are bolted scroll irons r³, 14, having rollers at their lower ends. s is the
axle which carries a bracket V, each end of which is also furnished with
rollers. T is a strap of vulcanised caoutchouc fastened by one end to the rail
of the vehicle at t, from whence it passes down under the scroll iron r³, over
the bracket V, under the scroll iron r, up to a tightening roller at t'. R³ is
a draught bar connecting the carriage and axle, as before described. The
elasticity of the strap T' gives the required easy movement to the body of the
vehicle.
Figure 17 shews a third mode of fitting straps to carriages when used as a
substitute for metal springs. Qs is the lower rail of the cart or gig frame, to
which are bolted the blocks w, w. The axle s is mounted in a bearing a,
which slides up and down between the blocks w, w, as is shewn in Figures 18
and 19, but is omitted in Figure 17 to shew the other parts more distinctly.
Figure 19 is a front view, and Figure 18 a plan of the axle and bearing
detached. A rod y is firmly secured to the lower ends of the blocks w, w.
T is a strap of vulcanised caoutchouc wound several times round the axle s
and fixed rod y until the strength is proportioned to the weight to be carried,
when the ends of the strap are cemented or otherwise made fast. The elas-
ticity of the strap permits the bearing & and axles to rise and fall between
the guides w, w, thus giving the required easy movement to the body of the
vehicle.
Figures 20, 21, 22, 28, and 24 shew another mode of fitting elastic straps
to carriages when used in lieu of metal springs. Q' is the lower rail of the
carriage. z, z, are blocks carrying a series of rollers round which is wound a
strap of vulcanised caoutchouc T", one end being made fast to the rail of the
carriage and the other to a tightening roller at t'. s is the axle mounted in a
bearing, as shewn at z, Figures 23 and 24, and before described, which slides
up and down between the guiding blocks z, z'. Figure 22 is an enlarged
Drawing of the blocks z, z', with the rollers and strap. Figure 23.is an end
view, and Figure 24 a plan of the same. Figure 21 shews the position
assumed by the straps T', which continue to yield until their united resistance
is equal to the weight pressing upon the axle, to which it thus forms an elastic"
support.
My sixth improvement in a mode of fitting elastic straps to apparatus for

page_text: Figure 25 is a front view. of a portion of such an apparatus; Figure 26 is a
plan, and Figure 27 an end view of the same. A is an upright back on a stand
provided with projecting divisions B, B. Between these divisions are holders
C² C². A strap of vulcanised caoutchouc D³, D', passes alternately behind
each of the projecting divisions B³, and in front of the holders C³, and is!
secured at each end to the back of the apparatus A². The tension of the
strap D³ keeps the holders C in close contact with the back, and firmly retains
any letters or papers that are placed between them, as is shewn at E', E'.
This apparatus for holding letters and papers may be formed singly or with
any required number of divisions, and with one or more straps; but I prefer
to make them in two sets of twelve compartments each, so as to afford the
means of holding letters and papers sorted and arranged in alphabetical order
for ready and convenient reference. Such an arrangement is shewn in
Figure 27. F is a folding bracket hinged to the back of the lower series,
and affording a support to the upper one. The two series of letter holders
being hinged together at f, shut up, forming a close box, which can be
secured by a lock and key, as is indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 27.
Figures 28 and 29 shew another mode of fitting straps to apparatus for
holding papers suitable for affixing play bills, notices of sales and auction, and
other matters requiring a temporary exhibition. Figure 28 is a front view of
the apparatus, and Figure 29 a side or edge view thereof. G³ represents a
portion of a frame or board, to which are attached the holders 9, 9, 9, 9, and
held in contact therewith by straps of vulcanised caoutchouc h, h, h³, h³. On
lifting the holders g by the knob provided for that purpose, and placing a paper
beneath, it is securely held on releasing the holder; by lifting the holder the
papers are instantly released. The straps may be fitted crossways of the
holders, as at h, h, or longitudinally, as at h³, h².
What I claim as new and of my Invention is,―
Firstly, the mode of fitting elastic straps and girths to saddles, as herein-
before described and shewn in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly, I claim the mode of fitting straps to the legs of trowsers, as herein-
before described and shewn in Figures 3, 4, and 5.
Thirdly, I claim the mode of fitting elastic straps to the waistband of
trowsers, as herein-before described and shewn in Figure 6.
Fourthly, I claim the mode of fitting straps to gaiters, as herein-before
described and shewn in Figure 7.
Fifthly, I claim the mode of fitting straps to form elastic fastenings for
articles of dress, as herein-before described and shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11,

page_text: JOHN THANG (L.s.) HARRADINE.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twentieth day of October, in
the year of our Lord 1848, the aforesaid John Thang Harradine came
before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the
Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and speci-
fied, in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twentieth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.