Improvements in the Construction of "Sulkeys" and Road Carts for Trotting Horses.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 16th Sept., 1893-Accepted, 17th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of "Sulkeys" and Road Carts for
Trotting Horses.
I, THOMAS FREEMAN, of 5, 6 and 7 Fade Street, Dublin, Ireland, General
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
-
"
The object of my invention is to produce a new or improved safety "sulkey"
and road cart of simple and efficient construction, and of light draft, and which will
afford the animal greater space for action than similar vehicles hitherto in use so
far as I am aware.
In carrying out my invention I propose to dispense with the ordinary axle, and
instead thereof to use a frame of metal or other suitable material as follows:-
The shafts and side bars of the body are formed of one continuous piece, and are
dipped or curved downwards in the neighbourhood of the wheel so as to run in the
horizontal plane of the hub of the wheel. This dipped or curved portion is
provided with a vertical elongated slot in which the wheel is carried by a suitable
pin.
The shafts and side bars are then connected parallel to each other by a bridge
suitably arranged to fulfil the office of the ordinary axle, but passes in a much
higher horizontal plane and therefore affords a more extended range for the action.
of the animal than when the ordinary axle is used.
From this bridge rods or arms proceed which constitute the body of the vehicle,
and upon which the drivers seat is mounted.
It is obvious that according to my invention the wheels being carried in an
elongated slot are protected from injury in the event of two vehicles colliding, and
again in the event of one vehicle provided with my invention, coming in contact
with a similarly constructed vehicle, there can be no danger of the wheels dove-
tailing.
In each shaft at the fore-end of the elongated slot is arranged a foot rest which
is capable of adjustment so as to regulate the distance between same and the seat
according to the requirements of the driver.
Dated this 16th day of November 1892.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.
す
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of "Sulkeys" and Road Carts for
Trotting Horses.
I, THOMAS FREEMAN, of 5, 6 and 7 Fade Street, Dublin, Ireland, General
Merchant, 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 :-
The object of my invention is to produce a new or improved safety "sulkey"
and road cart of simple and efficient construction, and of light draft, and which will
afford the animal greater space for action than similar vehicles hitherto in use so
far as I am aware.
In carrying out my invention I propose to dispense with the ordinary axle, and
instead thereof to use a frame of metal or other suitable material as follows:-
The shafts and side bars of the body are formed of one continuous piece, and are
dipped or curved downwards in the neigbourhood of the wheel. This dipped or

page_text: curved portion is provided with a vertical elongated slot in which the wheel is
carried by a suitable pin or other device.
The shafts and side bars are then connected parallel to each other by bridged or
arched framework, which constitute the body of the vehicle, and fulfils the office of
the ordinary axle and upon which the driver's seat is suitably mounted.
It is obvious that according to my invention, the wheels being carried in an
elongated slot are protected from injury in the event of two vehicles colliding.
Again in the event of one vehicle provided with my invention coming in contact
with another vehicle, there can be no danger of the wheels dove-tailing, since. the
outside limb of the slot protects the face of the wheel.
In each shaft is arranged a foot rest, which is capable of adjustment so as to
regulate the distance between same and the seat, according to the requirements of
the driver.
In order that my said invention may be more readily understood, I attach the
accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1, is a general perspective view of my improved sulkey complete, and
Figs. 2 and 3 side view, and plan of the seat adjustment hereinafter more fully
described.
A are the shafts and side bars (of one piece) showing the dip or curve in
which is formed the elongated slots B, in which latter the wheels C, are carried as
shown.
The hubs of the wheels are provided with ball bearings to facilitate rotation,
and are mounted in vertical forks C', whereby the height of the vehicle can be
readily adjusted according to the height of the animal. D, shew the bridged or
arched framework springing from the side bars and constituting the body of the
vehicle.
The upper
ends of these bridged arms are connected to a ring K (Figs. 2 and 3)
and on this ring is a grooved bar L, which receives lugs P, projecting from a claw R
on which the seat E is mounted by means of hinges on the front arms of the claw
and vertical screws S on the back arms.
By this arrangement the seat may be moved forward or backward within certain
limits, and may be raised or lowered at the back, and suitably clamped in any
desired position.
From the front of the seat project forked bars G, and within these slide foot
rests H, which are capable of adjustment by means of straps H' according to the
requirements of the rider.
Amongst the advantages of my improved sulkey may be mentioned the
following:
(1.) Being.constructed without an axle the horse can be hitched closer than any
other sulkey, while ample room is afforded for the widest, longest, and highest stride
action of any trotter.
(2.) It is built with the object of lightness, combined with perfect rigidity, and
strength, and is mounted on a pair of special pneumatic bicycle wheels, with
double ball bearings, which rotate in elongated slots without vibration, like best
balanced machinery.
1
(3.) Owing to the construction of the shafts they form a complete guard against
collision with other vehicles on the track, and obviate the dangers of existing
sulkeys, besides being a great safeguard for the driver.
(4.) The adjustable portions enable light or heavy, tall or small drivers to
suit their weight and stretch of legs, and still command perfect balance, and ease of
position, and the balance can be changed at will as thought best suited to the horse,
that is, light or heavy on back.
(5.) The draft is from behind, the traces, being simply attached to the provisional
ones, coming from back portion of shafts, where an equaliser is provided which
supersedes the old style of swing bar or whiffe tree, and gives complete balance of
draft, leaving the horse as free of himself going around the smallest turn as if in
saddle.

page_text: Loops are formed on the portion of shafts that take the belly band, which enable
drivers to trot their horses without a breeching when desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, it will be understood
that the details herein described may be variously altered or modified without
departing from the principle of my invention. What I claim is:-
First. In the construction of "sulkeys" and road carts for trotting horses, the
use and application of a dipped or curved combined shaft and side bar provided with
an elongated slot for the purpose of carrying the wheel in the manner substantially
as herein described and set forth.
Second. In the construction of "aulkeys" the use of the bridged or arched
framework constituting the body of the vehicle, and carrying the driver's seat, and
whereby the ordinary axle is dispensed with, thus affording greater space for the
action of the animal, and enabling the animal to be harnessed closer to the driver
than in the case of similar vehicles hitherto employed.
Third. In the construction of "sulkeys" and road carts for trotting horses, the
adjustable clamped foot rests, and the method of raising and lowering and moving
the driver's seat longitudinally in the manner as herein described and set forth.
Dated the 15th day of September 1893.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.