An Improved Gag for Animals.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 28th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 5th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Gag for Animals.
I WILLIAM WILSON HORN of the firm of Horn & Son of 151 Strand in the
County of Middlesex Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention
(a communication to me from James D. Halfpenny and David Dickee both of
Pontiac, State of Michigan United States of America Inventors,) to be as
follows:-
This my invention relates to an improved gag for animals, and it consists in a
device for holding open the mouth of an animal for the examination thereof or
otlier purpose.
My improved gag consists of two cross-bars connected to upright rods, one of
said cross bars being secured to and the other sliding freely upon the upright rods
and being locked thereon at any suitable point by thumb screws or other means.
Springs for the purpose of forcing said cross bars apart extend up the sides of
the animals head and are retained in position preferably by means of straps
attached thereto.
Dated this 24th day of January 1891
HORN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Gag for Animals.
I WILLIAM WILSON HORN of the firm of Horn & Son of 151 Strand in the
County of Middlesex Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this
invention (a communication to me from James D. Halfpenny and David Dickee
both of Pontiac in the State of Michigan United States of America Inventors)
and in what manuer the same, is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
In order that my invention may be readily understood reference is made to the
accompanying drawings in which:-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus when in use.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus closed preparatory to entering the
animals mouth.
It is the purpose of my invention to produce an apparatus to facilitate the
administration of medicines to horses and other animals or to facilitate working
in the months of such animals upon their teeth or adjacent organs reached through
the mouth. To this end I provide two bars designed to enter the mouth of the
horse, cow,
or other animal the same as a bit and at the end of each bar A, I
cause the same to engage an upright rod B. These rods may be fastened rigidly
to one of the bars A and be caused to pass freely through the other cross-bar, and
I provide thumb-screws or other similar means, whereby the said-movable bar
may be fastened rigidly at any place along the said upright rods B.
CC represents two springs. Each has one of its ends attached to opposite ends
to one of the bars A while the other end of each is attached to opposite ends of
the other bar A.
D is a strap or other convenient means whereby the apparatus may be attached
to the head of the horse or other animal. E is a strap which may be passed over
the nose of the horse if desired to assist in holding the head of the animal up at
any desired elevation for administering medicines or for convenience in operating
upon the horse.

page_text: The operation of the device.is as follows:-The cross-bars A are first forced
together and fastened by the thumb-screws b. These bars are then put in the
mouth the same as those of an ordinary bridle and the strap D is adjusted over the
head to hold it in place so as to leave the cross bars just back of the front teeth.
The thumb screws are then released and the resiliency of the springs instantly
forces, the mouth open and holds it open. Now if it is desired to administer
medicines or to work in the mouth the thumb-screws may be set and so hold the
horse from closing his mouth even should he try to do so. If however it is
desired that the animal may swallow and for this purpose close his mouth it is only
necessary to release the thumb-screws, when by an effort he can do so with ease.
If it is desired to file the animal's teeth the mouth can be held open just as far as
may be necessary and no farther. If desired the apparatus may be used as an
ordinary bridle bit in going from place to place.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion; and in what manner the same is to be performed declare that what I
claim is
1. A device for holding open the mouth of an animal, consisting of two cross-
bars A, movable to and from each other springs for forcing the crossbars apart
and devices for rigidly holding the cross bars in any desired relation to each other,
substantially as described.
2. A device for holding open an animal's mouth consisting of two cross-bars A
and upright rods B, one of said cross-bars adapted to slide freely along said rods,
means for setting said movable cross-bar in any position of adjustment along said
upright rods and springs for forcing said cross-bars apart substantially as and for
the purposes described..
3. A device for holding open the mouths of animals the same consisting of two
cross-bars A, springs C, adapted to extend up along the sides of the animal's
head and ineans for fastening the said springs in position substantially as and for
the purposes described.
4. A device for holding open an animal's mouth, the same consisting of two cross-
bars A rod or rods B, thumb-screws or equivalent b, springs, and strap D,
substantially as described.
5. A device for holding open the mouths of animals the same consisting of the
cross-bars A, uprights B, and fastening appliance b, in combination with springs C
and straps D & E, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Dated this 28th day of October 1891
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.