Im- PROVEMENTS IN SADDLES
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Robertson, Lieutenant and Riding Master
of Her Majesty's Regiment of 7th Hussars, at present stationed at
Hounslow, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN SADDLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Robertson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th July 1873.
I, HENRY ROBERTSON, Lieutenant and Riding Master of Her Majesty's
Regiment of 7th Hussars, at present stationed at Hounslow, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of my said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SADDLES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar mode of rendering saddles adjust-
able, so as to fit easily and comfortably the backs of horses of various
sizes, and consists in hinging the "gullet" plates together in the centre
of the fore arch, and in strengthening such plates over the arch by

page_text: rivetting and brazing thereto a strengthening plate placed over the arch
and extending down to the sideboards. The contiguous faces of the
gullet plates at the hinge are stepped or notched at gradually increasing
distances, and between them there is fitted an adjustable metal wedge
shaped block which is capable of being adjusted by an adjusting screw
to various positions, so as to fit the different notches or steps in the gullet
plates, such block being notched or stepped to correspond. A cap may
be fitted over the adjustable block to protect it from injury. The back
"cantle" is hinged to a plate which I term the "rest plate" secured to
each sideboard, and a bar which I term a "safety bar" extends from the
back cantle in a forward angular direction to the end of the "rest plate,"
a slot being provided in the foot of each safety bar to allow of its play
when altering the size of the saddle.
By my mode of adjustment I am enabled to adjust a saddle from
13 inches up to 17% (measuring across the bottom of the fore arch), 1
with intermediate adjustments varying from ½ to % of an inch each.
The front arch is curved backwards sufficiently to
whither, and the girth is brought forward to about 1
the fore arch so as to enable it to fall perfectly straight.
escape the horses
inches only from
When altering the size of the saddle the adjusting screw is turned by
means of a key so as to cause the block to recede and allow the arch to
be opened to the size required, after which the block is again tightened
up by the key, the size of the saddle being for the time being fixed.
In reducing the size of the saddle, the block is first loosened, after
which the sides of the fore arch are brought to the proper distance
asunder, and the block again secured as before.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Henry Robertson in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 10th January 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY 3
ROBERTSON, Lieutenant and Riding Master of Her Majesty's Regiment
of 7th Hussars, at present stationed at Hounslow, in the County of Mid-
·dlesex, send greeting.

page_text: Figure 5 is a front elevation of the wedge block herein-after referred to
detached.
According to my Invention I hinge the "gullet plates" a, a, of the
saddle together in the centre of the fore arch as shown at b, and I
strengthen such "gullet plates" over the arch by rivetting, brazing, or t
otherwise securing them to a strengthening plate c placed edgewise over
the arch and extending down to the two sideboards d, d. The con-
tiguous faces of the strengthening plates just above the hinge are stepped
or notched at gradually increasing distances as shewn at e, e, (Figure 4).
Between them there is fitted an adjustable metal wedge-shaped block f 1
which is capable of being adjusted by an adjusting screw g, or other-
wise to various positions so as to fit the different notches or steps
in the strengthening plates, such block being notched or stepped to
correspond. A cap h (shewn in section in Figures 2, 3, and 4) secured
by a pin to one of the strengthening plates, is to be fitted over the 1
adjustable block to keep it in position and to protect it from injury.
The back "cantle" i is hinged at k, k, to a plate 7, which I term the "rest
plate," secured to each sideboard, and a bar m, which I term a "safety
bar," extends from the back cantle in a forward angular direction to
each of the "rest plates" as shown clearly in the place, Figure 2, a slot 2
being provided in the foot of each safety bar to allow it to play along its
connecting pin when altering the size of the saddle.
By my mode of adjustment I am enabled to adjust a saddle from
thirteen inches up to seventeen, or within any other range that may be
' necessary (measuring across the bottom of the fore arch), with inter- 2
mediate adjustments varying from half to three-quarters of an inch
each.

page_text: In reducing the size of the saddle the sides of the fore arch are to be
brought to the proper distance asunder, and the block caused to enter
further in so as to fill up the space or cavity between the contiguous
faces of the two strengthening plates, thereby maintaining the proper
distance across the bottom of the fore arch.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,—
First. Hinging together the "gullet plates" in the centre of the fore
arch of a saddle, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before
described.
Second. The combination with the said hinged "gullet plates" of
strengthening plates disposed edgewise over the arch and extending
down to the sideboards, substantially as herein-before described.
Third. The interposition of an adjustable wedge-shaped block between
the contiguous faces of the said strengthening plates, substantially as
and for the purpose herein-before described.
Fourth. The combination with the said wedge-shaped block of an
adjusting screw or its equivalent, and a cap or cover when arranged and
caused to operate substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein.
before described.
Fifth. The attaching of the rear ends of the sideboards to the back
cantle in such a manner as to permit of their adjustment along with
the front parts of the said sideboards, substantially as herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Robertson, have to this
my Specification set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of
d night hundred and cozanter fau