Improvements in Military Equipments.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Oct., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 24th July, 1891--Accepted, 5th Sept., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Military Equipments.
HERBERT LINTOTT of "Newfield" Oliver Grove, South Norwood, Gentleman
and HENRY THOMAS TALLACK of 28 Hatton Garden, London, E.C. Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-—
Hitherto military equipments have been constructed with a series of straps, and
buckles with various attachments to the belt, at the back, and front, thus causing
discomfort to the wearer when the weight is not equal back and front, and taking
considerable time to remove, or put on the different articles worn according to the
special service orders. Our improved equipment is made to do away with most of
the straps, and buckles, and be entirely separate from the belt, and is constructed
so as to facilitate the casy, and prompt removal, or addition of any of the articles to
be carried. To carry out our invention we construct of any suitable material
preferably leather a strong frame to fit the back with pieces to go over the shoulders,
and return under the arms to the lower part of the frame at the back. Upon the
shoulder pieces just over the curved part of the shoulder are attached pieces of
steel, or other suitable substance so as to keep the part fitting over the shoulders
stiff, and prevent the frame slipping back, or in any way dragging up in front. To
convenient parts of the frame are attached cyclets, D's, hooks, straps, or any
suitable fastenings to attach the various articles to, such as the valise, great coat,
mess tin, or other necessary articles to be carried which would have suitable
fastenings attached to them to correspond with the fastenings upon the frame. The
whole equipment can thus be instantly removed by slipping the shoulder pieces off
the shoulders leaving the belt perfectly free, to which would be attached the
cartridge pouches, and frog for bayonet, and thus leave the man in review order
without undoing a single fastening, and it can be as quickly put on again. Various
modifications may be made, and any suitable fastenings, or materials used always
preserving the essential features of our invention which is for a strong frame
provided with large hook pieces to fit over the shoulders, of sufficient stiffness, and
strength to carry the weight of articles to be attached to, or carried by the frame,
and fitted with the necessary fastenings to attach the articles by, and keep
everything in its proper position. The various articles being arranged according
to the requirements of the service.
Dated this 28th dex of October 1890.
H. T. TALLACK,
28, Hatton Garden, London, E.C.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Military Equipments.
HERBERT LINTOTT of Newfield Oliver Grove South Norwood Gentleman and
HENRY THOMAS TALLACK of 28 Hatton Garden, London, E.C. Engineer 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
Hitherto military equipments have been constructed with a series of straps and
buckles with various attachments to the belt at the back and front, thus causing
discomfort to the wearer when the weight is not equal, back and front, and taking

page_text: 1
considerable time to remove or put on the different articles worn according to the
special service orders. Our improved equipment is made to do away with most of
the straps, and buckles, and obviate such discomfort by removing the strain on the
belt and preventing the movement of the straps, and is constructed so as to facilitate
the casy and prompt removal or addition of any of the articles to be carried.
To carry out our invention we construct of any suitable material, preferably
leather a strong frame to fit the back, with pieces to go over the shoulders and
return under the arms to the lower part of the frame at the back. Within, upon
or under the shoulder pieces just over the curved part of the shoulder are attached
pieces of steel, or other suitable substance, so as to keep the part fitting over the
shoulders, stiff, and prevent the frame slipping back, or in any way dragging up in
front. To convenient parts of the frame are attached eyelets, D's, hooks, straps
or any suitable fastenings to attach the various articles to, such as the valise, great
coat, mess tin or other necessary articles to be carried which would have suitable
fastenings attached to them to correspond with the fastenings upon the frame.
The whole equipment can thus be instantly removed by merely unfastening the
pouch straps hereinafter referred to and then slipping the shoulder pieces off the
shoulders leaving the belt perfectly free, to which would be attached the cartridge
pouches and frog for bayonet, and thus leave the man in review or fighting order
without undoing a single fastening, and it can be as quickly put on again.
Various modifications may be made and any suitable fastenings or materials used,
always preserving the essential features of our invention, which is for the use in
what are known as military equipments of suitable stiffening pieces of steel etcetera
in upon or under the part of the shoulder straps or braces which passes over the
shoulder and for an equipment consisting of a strong frame provided with shaped
pieces of steel or other suitable material to fit over the shoulders of sufficient
stiffness and strength to carry the weight of articles to be attached to, or carried by
the frame or braces and fitted with the necessary fastenings to attach the articles
by and keep everything in its proper position. The various articles being arranged
according to the requirements of the service, or it may be arranged to carry field-
pieces or stretchers or loads for explorers, tourists, bicyclists and others.
In the following drawings.
Fig. 1. represents an elevation of the front of the frame itself, without any of the
kit attached, A. A. A. A. are the steel stiffening pieces, which in this case are
attached over the leather brace, they may be coated with a suitable varnish or
other coating to prevent corrosion, or galvanised, and preferably covered with
leather. B. B. the back part of the frame to which the fastenings for the kit are
attached. C. C. are buckles fastened to the top of the shoulder pieces to fasten
the valise or great coat straps to. E. E. are the straps returning from the front of
the shoulder pieces to the lower part of the back of frame. F. F. are short straps
to attach the ammunition pouches for suspending their weight when ammunition is
carried in them, so that they do not drag the belt down. G. are holes in cross
straps which are double to allow for adjustment of width of back.
Fig. 2. shews a back clevation of Fig. 1. H. H. are D's, for for great coat
straps to pass through before buckling to buckles C. C. when great coat is worn at
top. I. I. are buckles for attaching valise when worn in centre. J. J. are D's for
mess tin straps to pass through, when mess tin is worn in the centre and K. K.
and L. L. are respectively buckles and D's for attaching great coat when worn at
bottom, but all fittings may be substituted by others or they may be varied in
position so that the kit may be attached in any order desired or for simply holding
bundles or other loads. M. M. are buckles for adjusting side straps. N. is a loop
behind lower back cross strap for mess tin strap to pass through when worn at
bottom.
Fig. 3. shews back view of frame fitted to carry kit in one position only, viz.
great coat at top carried through straps O. O. shown hanging loose, valise at
centre, attached to buckles I. I. mess tin at bottom through loop N. If desired the

page_text: strap carrying loop N. can be extended to pass round the belt and fasten up to a
stud or other suitable fastening upon the frame. When great coat and mess tin
only are worn the mess tin may be worn in the centre by passing strap round cross
strap and through loop N¹.
Similar letters denote similar parts.
Fig. 4. is a side view of frame made with all the fittings for attaching kit attached
to a separate strap, which fastens over the frame and is held in position by
studs P. P., with this arrangement, the whole kit can be thrown off by simply
detaching these supplemental straps from the studs P. P., for carriage in the baggage
waggon or other purpose, and can instantly be replaced when desired without
interfering with the frame.
Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views of Figs. 1 and 2 respectively.
Fig. 7. is a front view of a man with frame and full kit, excepting waistbelt and
pouches, attached, shewing the position, the stiffening pieces in the shoulders keep
it in, with no attachment to the belt whatever.
Fig. 8. is a similar view of Fig. 7, but showing attachment to ammunition pouches
to relieve the belt of their weight.
Fig. 9. is a side view of man with frame and kit on arranged with valise at top,
mess tin in centre and great coat at bottom.
Figs. 10. and 11. show two alternative ways of arranging kit.
Fig. 12. shows a side view of a light frame, constructed for light loads, as officers
great coat only.
Fig. 13 is a perspective back view of steel or other suitable material stiffening
piece for shoulders, which is preferably of a substance that may be altered in shape
by the hands to fit comfortably upon the shoulder, although stiff enough not to
open with any load that may be put upon it, this part of our invention may be
applied to any form of military braces.
Fig. 14. shews the adjustable back straps which are held together with laces,
screw rivets or other suitable fastenings.
Fig. 15. shows a leather or other suitable material shield Q attached to inner
side of front part of shoulder piece, for the rifle to rest upon, when being carried to
save the wear of the tunic, and rubbing the wearers collar bone.
Fig. 16. is a perspective front view of a steel shoulder piece brought lower down
in front to form a seat for the rifle butt to rest against to break the recoil in firing,
but I do not make any claim for the use of such shield or recoil breaker.
Similar letters denote corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
The various parts may be joined together in any suitable manner, either by
sewing, riveting, buckling or the like, the stiffening shoulder pieces being preferably
held in position by being sewn between two pieces of leather or other material
of which the equipment or braces are made.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is
1st. In military equipments, the use in upon or under the part of the shoulder
straps or braces which pass over the shoulder of suitable stiffening pieces of steel or
other suitable material, so as to take the drag off the waistbelt and prevent the
movement of the braces, straps, or other parts of the equipment when in wear.
2nd. In military equipments, the use in upon or under the part of the shoulder
straps or braces which passes over the shoulder, of stiffening pieces of malleable steel
or other suitable material, which while sufficiently stiff to retain their shape in
ordinary wear, are capable of being bent and adjusted by hand, so as to fit the
individual soldier.
3rd. The use in combination with the stiffening pieces above referred to of an
adjustable cross strap for the purpose of regulating and adjusting the distance apart
of such shoulder straps or braces.

page_text: 4th. The improved equipment substantially as herein described and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 24th lov of .... 1001
H. T. TALLACK,
28, Hatton Garden, London, E.C.