An Improved Hook, more especially Intended for Use as a "Curb Hook."
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 5th May, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 9th June, 1898-Accepted, 16th July, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Hook, more especially Intended for Use as a
"Curb Hook."
I, FRANK SWALES, of 56, Cathcart Road, Brompton, London, S.W., Veterinary
Dentist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
An improved hook especially intended for bits, whereby the curb chain can be
more easily attached or detached without any pressure, yet retaining the chain
in a safe and proper position.
The main body or portion of the hook is formed with a cavity or aperture in
the centre for the purpose of allowing the link of the chain (when said link is
approximately at right angles to the hook) to enter said cavity or aperture and
engage with the hook. The back of the hook has a wide and flat surface, so as
not to irritate or cause injury to the skin or under side of the mouth of the
horse, thus preventing unnecessary pain and suffering.
An Improved Hook, more especially Intended for Use as a
"Curb Hook."
I, FRANK SWALES, of 56, Cathcart Road, Brompton, London, S.W., Veterinary
Dentist, 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: -
66
This invention relates to an improved hook which is more especially although
not exclusively intended for use as a curb hook" for connecting the curb chain
to a horse's bit.
According to my invention the hook consists of a body portion having an
aperture or cavity therein, one end of said body portion being bent to form a
loop or eye for permanent connection to the bit or other article, and the other
end being bent to form the hook portion, the free end of which occupies approxi-
mately a central position relatively to the aforesaid aperture or cavity in the
body portion. By this construction the chain-link can be readily and effectually
connected with the hook without exerting vigorous pressure as is necessary with
ordinary curb hooks; moreover the hook presents a smooth and flat surface at the
back where it lies against the horse's skin and does not therefore cause the irrita-
tion which oftentimes arises with ordinary curb-hooks.
077

page_text: Figure 2 a central vertical section thereof, and
Figure 3 a side elevation.
Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a face view and a side elevation of a modified
construction of the hook.
Figures 6 and 7 are respectively a face view and a vertical section of a further
modified construction of the hook.
Figure 8 shews a hook of the kind illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, as it appears
when in use with a horse's bridle..
In all these figures like reference letters indicate similar parts.
A is the body portion of the hook, B the eye at one end thereof and C the bent
or hook portion formed at the other end thereof.
a is the aperture or cavity
in the body portion. The free end of the hook portion C is bent inwardly at c
and lies approximately central with respect to the aperture a, leaving a passage
at a (Figure 2) for the link of the chain to enter the said aperture, and a
'passage at a² for the link to enter into engagement with the hook portion.
On reference to Figure 2 it will be seen that the link can only be disengaged
from the hook by bringing it into a position substantially at right angles thereto,
to enable said link to enter the aperture a a sufficient distance to permit of its
passing through the passage a² and reaching the passage a¹. It will be obvious
that the link cannot unintentionally assume this position and reach the passage a¹
while the hook is in use and the chain subjected to tension, although an
extremely simple movement will disengage the link when it is intentionally
brought into the aforesaid position. Any movement of the link while it lies
approximately parallel with the hook-body (which is its position while engaged
with the hook) will not enable it to become detached, because in such position
it would engage with the bent end c of the hook proper, in the event of its shift-
ing upward far enough to enter the aperture a.
The shape of the aperture or cavity a is preferably circular, although it may
in some instances be made of oval, rectangular or other shape, but it should be
made of such a diameter as to permit of the link's being inserted partially into
said aperture as explained above with reference to Figure 2.
In the example illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 the hook is constructed of wire,
and has a rectangular aperture a. In this case the link may also be made
rectangular as shewn in Figure 4.
If desired, I may provide the end of the hook proper with an enlargement or
protuberance in place of the bent portion c, this enlargement or protuberance
being of such dimensions that it projects slightly into the aperture a and con-
tracts the passage a² to such an extent as to prevent the link from passing
through it, except by exerting sufficient pressure to cause the said enlarged end
to rise and allow the link to pass; the natural resiliency of the hook portion per-
mitting of this.
In some cases I may provide the body of the hook with a tongue extending
diametrically across the aperture a, such tongue being made flexible so as to be
capable of shifting when the chain-link is forcibly pressed against it in the act
of connecting or disconnecting the said link to or from the hook.
In the construction illustrated by Figures 6 and 7, the body of the hook is
provided with two of the aforesaid hook portions C, the free ends of which lie
adjacent to each other and to the central point of the aperture a with sufficient
space between said ends to permit of a chain-link to be inserted between them
in the act of connecting the same to the hook.
I do not confine myself to the use of the hook only as a curb hook, as it may
be used for any other purpose to which it is applicable.

page_text: When the hook is constructed with two hook portions C in the manner shown
in Figures 6 and 7 it can be used as a connecting link or as a hook according to
requirements.
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. A hook formed with an aperture or cavity in the body portion thereof and
with a bent portion whose free end lies approximately central with respect to
said aperture or cavity substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. A hook of the kind claimed in the preceding claim, provided with an
enlargement or protuberance at the free end of the aforesaid bent portion, or
with a flexible tongue extending across the aforesaid aperture or cavity, sub-
stantially as described and for the purpose specified.
3. A hook made in accordance with either of the constructions illustrated in
the accompanying drawings for the purposes specified.
000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.