Improved Means of Connecting Draught Animals to Vehicles and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 27th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 13th Jan.,:1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of Connecting Draught Animals to Vehicles
and the like.
I, THOMAS HARGREAVES BRIGG, of Thornton Road, Bradford, Yorkshire
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a development of the inventions for which Letters
Patent No. 9411, dated the 6th day of June, 1889, and No. 3321, dated the
24th day of February, 1891, were granted to me; the present invention having
reference to improved and simplified means of connecting draught animals to
vehicles, ground implements and the like having fore-and-aft axles and wheels or
other fore-and-aft bearings upon the ground; whereby all the advantages pertaining
to the improved systems of connection described in the Specifications of such
Patents in obtaining the desired. continuous automatic relation between the work
required to be done by the connected draught animal or animais and the necessary
expenditure of energy to perform such work common to both of such systems,
and to the means of supporting and affording relief to the animal or animals
peculiar to the later one of such systems are preserved, while certain disadvantages
in relation to the turning and backing of the vehicle in the one system, and to the
liability of the animal or animals kicking or stepping over the downwardly inclined
and lowly secured traces in the other and later system, are avoided.
According to the present invention, the shafts in the case of a single draught
animal or pair of draught animals, or the pole in the case of a pair of draught
animals, are or is not used either for the purpose of effecting an occasional down-
ward pressure upon the animal's fore-quarters as in the one system, or for the.
purpose of constantly tending to effect a lift at the animal's fore-quarters as in the
other system, but are or is connected to the fore-carriage in a usual manner, so that
the turning movements of the fore-carriage and the backing of the vehicle can be
effected thereby in an ordinary manner.
In lieu of the spring-controlled trace-levers and co-operating shaft-levers of the
one system, and of the fore-quarter lifting devices and downwardly inclined traces
of the later system, I, in accordance with the present improvements, use, in
obtaining the desired continuous automatic relation between the work required to
be done by the connected draught animal or animals and the necessary expenditure
of the animal's energy to perform such work and the desired support and relief of
the animal or animals, a novel combination and improved arrangements of the
elements or features of the means used in carrying out the aforesaid systems
substantially of the nature hereinafter referred to."
For each draught animal I use a separate attachment consisting either of a pair.
of separate or connected levers which, at their rear ends are pivotally connected to
the fore-carriage or equivalent part of the vehicle at as low a point as convenient,
and at their forward ends are connected to the animal by means of the belly-band
or any equivalent means, and at an intermediate arched part are connected to the
fore-carriage or equivalent part of the vehicle by means of spring attachments
normally tending to raise the forward ends of the levers; and to the animal by
means of traces occupying a normal position and which, when in tension, constantly
tend to variably counteract the said tendency of the spring attachments in the ratio
of the pull exerted by the animal through the traces in overcoming the resistance
of the vehicle. .
As aforesaid: the trace-levers may be separate from each other, or may

page_text: connected to each other, their rear ends being pivotally connected to the fore-
carriage in any suitable manner, such, for example, as by a bracket or brackets
bolted to and depending from and in advance of the fore axle. Their forward ends
may be separately connected directly or by adjustable straps or the like to the
belly-band or to any equivalent band at the sides of the animal, or they may be
connected together and attached directly over the animal to the belly-band or to
any equivalent band.
The intermediate arched parts of the levers are, at any suitable part thereof,
fitted with trace-hooks or with-swingletrees, drawbars or other suitable trace
attachments to which the traces are connected.
Such intermediate parts of the levers are also, at any suitable part thereof,
connected, by a spring or springs or any equivalent thereof normally tending to
raise the forward ends of the levers as aforesaid, to the fore-carriage or equivalent
part of the vehicle.
Said springs may be adjustable and may be of varied formation and arrangement,
and may be applied in any suitable manner, and may, for example, consist of coiled
springs carried by rear extensions of the said bracket or brackets bolted to the
fore axle and connected forwardly to said levers.
With such improved means of attachment of the animal to the vehicle, the
animal when at rest or when not exerting any pull through the traces will be
relieved of supporting its own weight to an extent determined by the maximum
action of the spring controlled levers operating through the belly-band or its
equivalent, but when the animal is in draught such supporting tendency will be
modified and counteracted in the ratio of the pull exerted by the animal through
the traces (the belly-band or its equivalent being slackened accordingly as the force
exerted through the traces counteracts the supporting tendency of the levers) so
that as the vehicle enters on heavier gradients or otherwise encounters increasing
resistance to traction, more and more of the natural weight of the animal will be
allowed or caused to become operative, according to the requirements for the time
being, until, upon the lifting tendency of the levers being neutralized by the pull
effected through the traces, the whole of such natural weight is allowed or caused
to become operative, thereupon, any increased pull exerted by the animal will be
effective in causing the levers to exert, through the back-band or its equivalent, a
downward pressure on its fore-quarters effective in increasing its natural weight
(very considerably when the animal is exerting its maximum pull) and tractive
power, enabling it the easier to overcome the resistance if within the limits of its
power.
Doted th: 07h 1
L
1
1000
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,.
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of Connecting Draught Animals to Vehicles
and the like.
I, THOMAS HARGREAVES BRIGG, of Thornton Road, Bradford, Yorkshire,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention, and in what manner,
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
1.
This invention relates to a development of the inventions relating to improved:
means of connecting draught animals to vehicles, ground implements and the likel
having fore and aft axles and wheels or other fore and aft bearings upon the
ground, for which Letters Patent No. 9411, dated the 6th day of June 1889, and
No. 3321, dated the 24th day of February 1891, were granted to me; the present
1

page_text: improvements preserving all the advantages pertaining to the improved systems of
connection described in the Specifications of such Patents, in obtaining the desired
continuous automatic relation between the work required to be done by the
connected draught animal or animals and the necessary expenditure of the animal's
energy to perform such work, common to both of such systems, and also those
pertaining to the means of supporting and affording relief to the animal or animals
peculiar to the later of such systems, while avoiding certain disadvantages in
relation to the turning and backing of the vehicle in respect of the earlier of such
systems, and in relation to the liability of the animal or animals kicking or
stepping over the downwardly inclined and lowly connected traces in respect of
the later of such systems.
With the present improved means of connection, when applied to a vehicle
fitted with a fore-carriage, either shafts or a pole are or is connected to the
fore-carriage in a usual manner, so that the steering and backing of the vehicle
can be effected thereby in an ordinary manner, but such shafts or pole are or is
not used either for the purpose of effecting an occasional downward pressure upon
the animal's fore quarters, as in the said former system, or for the purpose of
effecting a constant supporting tendency at the animal's fore-quarters, as in the
said later system; and in lieu of the spring-controlled trace-levers and co-operating
shaft-levers of the said former system, and of the fore-quarter supporting devices
and downwardly inclined and lowly connected traces of the said later system, I
use, in accordance with the present improvements, in obtaining the aforesaid
advantages, a novel combination of co-operating devices as hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings:-
:―
Fig. 1, represents, in side elevation, the fore part of a two-axled wheeled
vehicle having a fore-carriage and ordinary shafts, showing the same as connected
to a draught animal by means of the improved draught device.
Fig. 2, represents a plan view, of the same, partly in section on the line i, j,
Fig. 1, with the body part of the vehicle and the draught animal removed.
Fig. 3, represents a section, partly on the line a, b, and partly on the line c, d,
Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, is an enlarged detail view.
Figs.
to 11, illustrate the application of the improved draught device to a
tram-car not having a fore-carriage or requiring shafts or a pole.
Fig. 5, represents one-half length of the floor of the car in section, with the
draught device and connected animal (not in draught) in side elevation.
Fig. 6, represents a plan view, thereof, with the animal removed.
Fig. 7, represents an enlarged side elevation, partly in section, with parts of the
device broken and closed together, but occupying their relative positions of
elevation.
Fig. 8, is a sectional plan on the line e, f, Fig. 7, not representing the car-frame.
Fig. 9, is a sectional front elevation on the line g, h, of the part above the
line e, f, Fig. 7, not representing the car-frame.
Fig. 10, is a sectional side elevation of a modification.
Fig. 11, is a front elevation with the trace-levers removed.
Like reference letters and numerals indicate like parts wherever they are
repeated on the drawings.
a, represents ordinary shafts, which are pivotally connected to the fore-
carriage b, at c, and are connected to a breech-strap d, at e, and are supported
from the back-band or a saddle f, in any usual manner, without being connected
to the belly-band g.
:
For each draught animal I use a draught device consisting of a pair of separate
or connected rigid, arched trace levers h, which (at their rear ends) are pivotally
connected to the fore-carriage b, or equivalent part of the vehicle at as low
points i, as convenient, and (at or towards their forward ends) are connected to
the animal by means of a belly-band g, and a back-band f, and (at any convenient
part of their intermediate arched parts) are connected to the fore-carriage by

page_text: means of spring or equivalent attachments j, so applied as to normally tend to
raise the forward ends of the levers,-and (at any convenient parts of such arched
parts or at or forward of the .connections to the belly-band and back-band) are
also connected to the animal at the hame or collar k, by means of trace cop-
nections, so applied as to occupy a normal inclination or position, and, when in
tension, to tend to variably counteract the supporting tendency of the spring
attachments in the ratio of the pull exerted. by the animal through the traces.
The trace-levers h, may be separate (ride Figs. 1 and 2) and the connections
thereof to a fore-carriage at the aforesaid points i, may be effected by brackets m,
(vide Fig. 1,) depending from and in advance of the fore-axle n, and secured thereto
by the clips and bolts o, securing the usual fore-carriage supporting springs p, or in
any other suitable manner.
The connections of the trace-levers to the animal at the belly-band, in vehicles
having a fore carriage and shafts, are effected (entirely independent of the shafts)
by adjustable straps and buckles q, or like means directly connected to the belly-
band at the sides of the animal, vide Fig. 3. Or, such parts of the levers may be
connected together over the animal's back and attached to a belly-band by
depending straps or like means. The connections of the levers to the back-band
or saddle may also be effected directly in like manner by adjustable straps and
buckles or like means, vide Figs. 5 and 7. Or, such latter connections, in vehicles
having shafts, may be effected through the shafts, the levers being fitted with
swivelling forks r, adapted to engage with and support the shafts, relieving the
animal of supporting the weight thereof and raising the same when the animal is
disconnected.
.
The connections of the trace-levers to the spring attachments j, may be effected
by adjustable straps s, connecting the free ends of the springs and eyes t, fitted to
the levers, or in any other suitable manner.
The springs j, are preferably made of a coiled formation and applied in an
adjustable manner, vide Fig. 4, in which the spring is represented as formed with
a squared centre u, set on the squared hub of one of a pair of clutch-plates v, the
squared hub of the other of which plates is set in and carried by a rearward
extension m*, of the bracket m, the whole being secured by a bolt and nut w.
When desired to adjust the supporting power of the springs, the nuts w, are
loosened to permit of separation of the clutch-plates v, and of the springs being
taken up or let out as required, whereupon, the parts are again secured by
tightening up the nuts. The fore and aft parts of the bracket m, m* may be stayed
by a rod x. The springs j, may, however, be of any other suitable formation
(vide Figs. 5 and 7, hereinafter referred to) and may be applied in any other
convenient manner.
The connections of the trace-levers to the animal at the hame or collar k, are,
as aforesaid, effected by trace connections, which occupy a normal inclination or
position, the same being connected to the hame or collar in a usual manner and to
trace-hooks y, or other suitable trace attachments applied to the trace-levers h, at
any suitable parts, either forward of the connections of the levers to the belly-
band, as represented in Fig. 1, or at such connections as represented in Fig. 5, or
rearward thereof.
In the arrangements represented in Figs. 5 to 8, 10 and 11, the trace-levers are
connected together at their ends i, and are there pivotally attached to a removable
support m, which is capable of turning upon a pin z, in bearings 1, projecting from
the bracket 2, which is bolted at 3, to the car-framing 4. In Figs. 5 to 7, one
spring, of a helical formation, is used, being connected at the one end to a hold-
fast 5, bolted to a joist 6, of the car-flooring, and at the other end to the centre of a
bar, (connecting the trace-levers h,) by a chain, wire-rope or other suitable
flexible connections, guided by pulleys 8. The chain or connections, is hooked in
a readily removable manner to the eye t, fast on the bar h, and is fitted with a
projection 7, on the outer side of a lever 9, by which ;-when it is desired to
disconnect the animal from one end of the car and attach it to the other; the

page_text: spring is pulled forward, so as to permit of the hook being disconnected from the
eye t, the disconnection of the animal being completed by removing the pin z,.
connecting the support m, and bracket 2.
In Figs. 10 and 11, two separate springs j, of a coiled formation, are used, each
being connected to a bent rigid link 13, to which the chain s, is connected.
The directions of the force exerted by the springs j, are indicated on the
drawings by arrows drawn in full lines, and of that exerted through the traces l,.
by arrows drawn in dotted lines.
With the aforesaid improved means of attachment of the animal to the vehicle,
the animal, when at rest or when not exerting any pull on the traces, (vide Fig. 5,)
will be relieved of supporting its own weight to an extent determined by the
maximum action of the spring-controlled trace-levers operating through the belly-
band; but, when the animal is in draught, (vide Fig. 1.) such supporting tendency
will be counteracted in the ratio of the pull exerted by the animal through the
traces, the support afforded by the belly-band being lessened accordingly as the
force exerted through the traces counteracts the supporting tendency of the springs,.
so that, as the vehicle enters on heavier gradients or otherwise encounters increased
resistance to traction, more and more of the natural weight of the animal is allowed
or caused to becoine operative, according to the requirements for the time being,.
until, upon the supporting tendency of the springs being neutralized by the pull
effected through the traces, the whole of such natural weight becomes operative;-
thereupon, any increased pull exerted by the animal, will (owing to the virtual
downward inclination of the connection from the hame to the fore carriage, and to.
the tendency of the pull effected through the traces to bring the points of attach-
ment of the traces to the trace-levers and to the hame, and of the trace-levers to
the fore-carriage, into alignment,) be effective in causing the trace-levers and the
traces to exert, through the back band or its equivalent and the collar, a downward
pressure on and well distributed over the animal's fore-quarters, effective in
increasing its natural weight (very considerably when the animal is exerting its.
maximum pull) and tractive power, enabling it the easier to overcome the resistance
if within the limit of its power.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
In combination, rigid arched trace-levers having their ends disposed in a
downwardly inclined plane relative to flexible connections to the animal at the
hame, with their rear ends pivotally connected to a lowly depending part of the
fore carriage or equivalent part of the vehicle ;-continuing flexible trace-
connections tending when in draught to draw the ends of the trace-levers into align-
ment with the attachments to the hame;-a belly-band adapted to support the
animal's fore-quarters ;-a back band adapted to bring downward pressure on the
animal's fore-quarters; and a spring or springs connected to the fore-carriage or
vehicle and to the arched parts of the trace-levers tending to raise the fore parts.
of the levers; the whole co-operating as hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 27th day of November 1893.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.