AN IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINERY BY WHICH A HORSE MAY BE SUDDENLY DISENGAGED FROM A CARRIAGE WHILE RUNNING AWAY WITH THE SAME, OR WHENEVER REQUIRED TO BE DETACHED FROM IT QUICKLY
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alonzo Webster, of the State of Vermont, of the
United States of America, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT IN
MACHINERY BY WHICH A HORSE MAY BE SUDDENLY DISENGAGED FROM A
CARRIAGE WHILE RUNNING AWAY WITH THE SAME, OR WHENEVER REQUIRED TO
BE DETACHED FROM IT QUICKLY."-Partly a communication from Harvey
Webster, of the said State of Vermont.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Alonzo Webster at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and Declaration, on
the 9th August 1855, pursuant to the 9th Section of the Patent Law
Amendment Act 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME,
BE IT KNOWN that I, Alonzo Webster, of the State of Vermont, of the
United States of America, am in possession of "AN IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINERY
BY WHICH A HORSE MAY BE SUDDENLY DISENGAGED FROM A CARRIAGE WHILE RUNNING
AWAY WITH THE SAME, OR WHENEVER REQUIRED TO BE DETACHED FROM IT QUICKLY;"
and I do hereby declare that the said Invention is fully described and repre-
sented in the following Specification, and the accompanying Drawings, letters,
figures, and references thereof :-
Of the said Drawings, Figure 1 exhibits a top view of a whiffletree, having
my improvement applied to it; Figure 2 is a horizontal section of the same,

page_text: such also exhibiting the traces as applied to said whiffletree; Figure 3 is a top
view of the whiffletree as it appears when its spring clamps are thrown outward
and the traces are disengaged from their stationary pins or holders; Figure 4
is a top view, and Figure 5 a side view of part of a shaft, with its contrivance,
by which the breeching of the harness can be connected to and detached from
the shaft.
In these Drawings, A denotes the whiffletree, from each end of which there
projects a stationary pin a. In rear of this pin there is arranged on the
whiffletree a sliding clamp b, which is formed as seen in the Drawings, and
forced outwards by means of a spring c. Projecting from the shank of said
clamp, and towards the pin or holder a, is a stud d, which may be termed the
"cast off," its purpose being to discharge a trace B from the pin or holder a
when the clamp 6 is unlatched and is being sprung outward. The rear end of
each trace is formed with a hole through it for the reception of the pin a, and
there is projecting upward from the shank of the clamp and through the
whiffletree a stud e, which operates in connection with a spring-lever latch f,
formed and arranged on the whiffletree, as seen in the Drawings. When the
clamp 6 is forced into the whiffletree to its greatest extent, it will be main-
tained in such position by the spring latch taking upon the stud e. Under
these circumstances, should the lever latch be moved so as to be thrown out of
engagement with the stud e, the clamp 6 will be set free and thrown forward
by the spring, its "cast off" being carried against the trace, so as to throw the
latter off its pin, and thus disengage it from the whiffletree. A cord g is
attached to the outer arms of the spring lever latches, and extends upwards
within reach of a person in the carriage. By pulling on the cord both traces
may simultaneously be set free from the whiffletree.
The inner side of each of the thills of the whiffletree may have a spring h
and a hook i applied to it, and formed and arranged as seen in Figures + and 5.
To the breeching, or each end of the same, there may be applied an eye or ring
connector k, which, when passed on the hook, as seen in Figures 4 and 5, will
be kept in place by the spring unless it be pulled forwards. When the traces
are detached from the whiffletree, and the horse rushes forward, he will draw
on the connector k of each shaft, and detach it from the hook, the spring
giving away under the forward pressure of the connector, and permitting it to
be drawn off the hook. Back draft on the breeching or its connectors will
have no tendency to discharge the latter from their hooks.
My Invention, in comparison with others of like character, has many advan
tages. It enables the traces to be hitched to the whiffletree with great facility

page_text: and ease, and to be securely confined thereto without danger of being detached
by the ordinary movements of the carriage or horse. It also enables them to
be readily unhitched from the whiffletree whenever an accident occurs, or is
likely to occur, either while the carriage is in motion or at rest. In case the
whiffletree should become disconnected from the carriage so that it may fall
downwards, the cords being supposed to be fastened to the carriage, its weight
acting on the cord will disengage it from the tugs or traces. So in case a
horse runs away with a carriage, and it is overthrown, or the body of the
carriage thrown from the fore wheels, the horse will be disengaged from the
whiffletree.
I do, not claim combining with a whiffletree a means of suddenly disen-
gaging the traces therefrom while a horse connected to it is running, nor do
I claim combining with the whiffletree a means of disconnecting it from the
carriage under like circumstances; but what I do claim is, the arrangement
and combination of the moveable spring clamp b, its cast off d, its spring
latch f, and the stationary pin or holder a, the whole being applied to each end
of the whiffletree, and made to operate substantially in manner and for the
purpose as specified.
I also claim the combination of the connector, the spring, and the hook, as
applied together, and to the breeching and shaft, and made to operate sub-
stantially as described.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my signature and seal, this
Twentieth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-five.
ALONZO WEBSTER. (LS.)