IMPROVEMENTS IN KNAPSACKS, AND IN THE METHOD OF ATTACHING OR SUSPENDING THE SAME TO OR UPON THE BEARERS, APPLICABLE ALSO IN THE CARRYING OF OTHER LOADS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Edward Orrell, of Withington, in the County of
Lancaster, late Major, 3rd Royal Lancashire Militia, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN KNAPSACKS, AND IN THE METHOD OF ATTACHING OR
SUSPENDING THE SAME TO OR UPON THE BEARERS, APPLICABLE ALSO IN THE
CARRYING OF OTHER LOADS"
aled the 18th December 1877, and dated the 30th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Edward Orrell at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th June 1877.
JOHN EDWARD ORRELL, of Withington, in the County of Lancaster, late Major,
3rd Royal Lancashire Militia. "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNAPSACKS, AND IN THE METHOD
OF ATTACHING OR SUSPENDING THE SAME TO OR UPON THE BEARERS, APPLICABLE
ALSO IN THE CARRYING OF OTHER LOADS."
My Invention relates principally to the knapsacks employed as means for the
conveyance of the kits of soldiers, and otherwise employed for purposes which are
well understood.
Previously to my Invention, knapsacks have usually been sustained upon the
shoulders or backs of the bearers by means of straps which have passed over the
shoulders and under the arm pits. When so applied, the knapsack interferes with
the free action of the arms and has a tendency to slip or settle downwards, thereby
causing inconvenience to the bearer. To remedy these defects, and also to enable
the bearer to carry the knapsack with less inconvenience for other reasons, is the
object of my Invention. To this end, I sustain the knapsack upon the bearer by
means of two metal springs. The said springs are formed to rest upon the shoulders
and to extend downwards before and behind the wearer a sufficient distance to
furnish a firm hold.
The ends of the springs are formed or arranged to clip the body of the wearer so
as to increase the firmness of the hold upon the wearer. The knapsack is attached
to the said springs either permanently or temporarily, as preferred.
In one arrangement, which I now consider to be suitable, the springs are passed
through loops, straps, or staples attached to he knapsack, and short straps attached
to the knapsack are arranged to button upon studs fixed to the springs: This
method of attachment may be varied as considered to be advisable.

page_text: If considered to be necessary or advantageous, supplementary straps, arranged
in the ordinary manner but not bearing the weight of the knapsack, may be
employed.
The said springs are or may be covered in a suitable manner with leather or other
suitable material, and may be padded and otherwise finished, as may be preferred
or considered to be advisable.
The said springs may also be employed in the carrying of other loads.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the_conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
20
the said John Edward Orrell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th
December 1877.
"
JOHN EDWARD ORRELL, of Withington, in the County of Lancaster, late Major,
Third Royal Lancashire Militia. IMPROVEMENTS IN KNAPSACKS, AND IN THE
METHOD OF ATTACHING OR SUSPENDING THE SAME TO OR UPON THE BEARERS, AP-
PLICABLE ALSO IN THE CARRYING OF OTHER LOADS."
My Invention relates. principally to the knapsacks employed as means for the
conveyance of the kits of soldiers, and otherwise employed for the purposes which are
well understood.
Previously to my Invention, knapsacks have usually been sustained upon the
shoulders or backs of the wearers by means of straps which have passed over the
shoulders and under the arm pits. When so applied, the knapsack interferes with
the free action of the arms and has a tendency to slip or settle downwards, thereby
causing inconvenience to the wearer. To remedy these defects, and also to enable
the wearer to carry the knapsack with less inconvenience for other reasons, is the
object of my Invention. To this end, I sustain the knapsack upon the shoulders
by means of two springs. The said springs are formed to rest upon the shoulders
and extend downwards, before and behind the wearer, a sufficient distance to furnish
a firm hold.
The ends of the springs are formed or arranged to clip the body of the wearer so
as to increase the firmness of the hold upon the wearer. The knapsack is attached
to the said springs either permanently or temporarily, as preferred.
The same method and means may also be employed in the carrying of other
loads.
And in order that my said Invention may be readily described and understood,
I have appended hereunto a Sheet of Drawings, made, with the exception of the
last Figure, to a scale of about four inches to the foot, and marked with letters of
reference.
Referring to the said Drawings, Fig. 1 represents a back view of a knapsack
fitted with my improvement; Fig. 2 is a side view of the same; and Fig. 3, a plan
in which the knapsack is seen as when looking downwards at the top thereof.
In the said Fig., A is a knapsack, which may be of any ordinary or suitable size,
'shape, and construction, so long as it is fitted for attachment to the springs. The
said springs are represented by b, b, and one is also represented detached from the
knapsack by Fig. 4. These springs may be made of steel, suitably tempered or
prepared to have an amount of elasticity or resiliency, and are formed to sit upon
the shoulders of a human body,.and to clip the body with a sufficient amount of
firmness.

page_text: The springs are, by preference, covered with leather or with leather cloth, or
other suitable material, and, if preferred, may be padded with soft or elastic material
interposed between the spring and the outer covering. In some cases the said
covering may be wholly or partially dispensed with, and the metal be protected or
ornamented by processes of lacquering, japanning, electro-plating, or by other suitable
processes or means; and also the said springs may be made of hard rolled brass or
of bent wood or other suitable material. Loops or bands of leather or material c, c,
are sewn or attached to the back of the knapsack, that is to say, to the part of the
knapsack which is turned towards the wearer, and the shorter limbs of the springs
are passed through the said loops, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. Short straps d, d,
attached to the knapsack are now buttoned on to studs e, e, which are fixed in or
on the springs, and the attachment of the knapsack to the springs is complete.
Other suitable means for attaching the springs to the knapsack may be employed,
and, if preferred, the springs may be permanently sewn or attached to the knapsack.
Fig. 5 illustrates the manner in which the knapsack is carried.
To suspend the knapsack upon the wearer it is only necessary to raise the knap-
sack until the outer limbs of the springs will pass over the shoulders, and to lower
the knapsack until the bends of the springs sit upon the shoulders, the said outer
limbs extending downwards on each side of the centre of the chest, as indicated at b.
The corresponding spring does not shew in the Figure.
In the example illustrated, the knapsack is provided with supplementary straps,
seen at ff, in Fig. 1 These straps are attached by one end to the knapsack, the
other end being arranged to button on to a study on the spring.
When the knapsack is in position upon the wearer, these straps are brought
forwards and upwards between the arm and the body and are secured to the springs.
The object of these straps is to check any upward movement of the knapsack, as,
for example, supposing the wearer to jump into a ditch, the said straps would be
necessary or useful to keep the knapsack in its position. If not considered to be
necessary in any case they may be dispensed with.
Although I have referred only to the knapsack when describing the Drawings, it
must be understood that I may employ the method and means herein indicated in
the carrying of other loads upon the back and shoulders.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention, and
the method of and means for carrying the same into practical effect, I would have
it to be understood in conclusion that I claim,―
First. The method of mounting knapsacks or loads upon the backs and shoulders
of human bodies, substantially as set forth and indicated herein-before, and in and
by the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The springs, substantially as and for the purposes set forth and
indicated.
And, lastly. The knapsack fitted with springs and straps, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth and indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Edward Orrell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Signed and sealed by the
said John Edward Orrell
in the presence of
HUGH GRANT,
Clerk to Edward K. Dutton,
Agent to the Patentee,
3, Princess Street,
Manchester.
JNO. E. OKKELL. (L.S.)