IMPROVEMENTS IN STALLS, LOOSE BOXES, AND ENCLOSURES FOR HORSES, Cows, PIGS, OR OTHER ANIMALS
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Charley Riddel, of Belfast, in the County of
Antrim, Ireland, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STALLS, LOOSE
BOXES, AND ENCLOSURES FOR HORSES, Cows, PIGS, OR OTHER ANIMALS."
Sealed the 30th December 1859, and dated the 19th July 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Charley Riddel
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th July 1859.
I, JOHN CHARLEY RIDDEL, of Belfast, in the County of Antrim, Ireland,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STALLS, LOOSE BOXES, AND ENCLOSURES FOR HORSES, Cows, PIGS, OR OTHER
ANIMALS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, firstly, of an improved hay rack or feeding cage in
connection with stable fittings. The hay rack or cage referred to I make of
a circular form, similar in shape to a barrel or drum, but open at top to
receive the hay. I make the front flat to avoid any projection inside of
the stall. This cage, when placed in corner or side of loose box or stall,
moves on a vertical axis. I form the front of cage with vertical iron
rods or open metal work, and the back, top, and bottom of sheet or cast
iron, or I make it of wood and iron combined. I make these cages of
various forms to suit different situations; I also make a similar cage or
carriage to contain manger, water, and mash pot. These cages may be
applied to stalls and loose boxes for cows, and enclosures for pigs, as well

page_text: as for stalls and loose boxes for horses. The advantages that these cages possess
are, that the hay, water, or other food can be shut off from the animal inside
at any moment, by merely turning round the cage till the back comes towards
the animal inside, and in situations where a passage can be had, the foud can
be not only shut off from the animal at will, but the rack or manger can be
replenished from the outside of stall or enclosure without entering inside. The
stall divisions for horses and cows I make either of iron and wood combined, or
of iron cast in one plate, as in use hitherto, but of improved form, to give
increased strength, and to facilitate their erection.
The next part of my Invention relates to the form of the feeding trough
which is placed before the cattle. I cast the front of this trough with the edge
turned over towards the inside, which is the reverse of the old method; this lip
or turnover may be carried all round the trough, if required. This form of lip,
turned inwards, prevents the animal throwing any portion of the contents out
of the trough, thereby avoiding any waste. I make an opening in the division
which is in trough, and insert a plug and washer in that portion of the bottom
of trough for flushing or cleaning it out; the plug moves up and down on a
vertical rod; the lower portion of this rod I make of a flat form of about half
inch by three-eighths; the upper portion I make round, say, about three-
eighths of an inch in diameter. When the plug is raised, by turning it half round
it supports itself,-when the trough has been flushed, the plug is let down into
its place; by this contrivance there is no risk of losing the plug, as it cannot get
out of its place, being prevented by that portion of the division in trough
exactly over it.
The last part of my Invention is a new hay or food feeder, to contain a
sufficient quantity of hay, or other food for cattle. In form it resembles a long
deep chest tapering from top to bottom, length about seven feet, depth about
three feet, having an opening in front the entire or part length of feeder of
about five inches wide for the trough to get forward or be pulled out by the
animal when feeding. This feeder I place between the two divisions, which
form each stall over the back of feeding trough in front of the cattle. These
feeders may also be made circular, or of other forms, to suit different situations,
but still retaining the slit or narrow opening at bottom for the animal to feed
from. This hay or food feeder is particularly adapted for horned cattle, as there
is no danger of the animals getting their horns entangled in it, as in all bay
racks composed of rods or other openwork. It also prevents waste of hay and
secures the hay seed. If any hay or seed falls, the trough receives it, or the
bottom of feeder can be so formed as to retain the seed.
When a passage
can be had in front of the cattle, I recommend suspending the feeder so that

page_text: it may swing forwards when pushed towards the animal, in which position it
can be secured by a bolt or fastener, or it can be made to slide forward in
grooves, this leaves the trough clear, so that food can be supplied to it from tho
passage in front of the animals without entering each stall; after replenishing
the trough, the bay feeder is allowed to fall back to its place by removing
the bolt or fastener which held it. The bay feeder is supplied from the top,
and can also be filled from passage in front of cattle.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Charley Riddel in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th January 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
CHARLEY RIDDEL, of Belfast, in the County of Antrim, Ireland, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-third year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Charley Riddel, Her special licence that I, the said John
Charley Riddel, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said John Charley Riddel, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STALLS, LOOSE BOXES, AND ENCLOSURES FOR HORSES, Cows,
PIGS, OR OTHER ANIMALS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
John Charley Riddel, my executors or adminisirators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Charley Riddel, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-

page_text: My Invention of improvements in stalls, horse-boxes, and enclosures for
horses, pigs, and other animals, relates to the feeding troughs and cages or
fodder cases used for horses, cows, and other animals, and to the stalls or
divisions separating them. The stall divisions for horses and cows I make
either of iron and wood combined, or of iron cast in one plate, of improved
form, to give increased strength, and to facilitate their erection to the form of
the feeding trough placed. before the cattle. I cast the front of this trough
with the edge turned over towards the inside, which is the reverse of the old
method. This lip or turnover may be carried all round the trough, if required,
and being turned inwards prevents the animal throwing any portion of the
contents out of the trough, thereby avoiding waste. The hay cage or fodder.
case I make to contain a sufficient quantity of hay or other food for cattle; in
form it resembles a long deep chest, tapering from top to bottom, having an
opening in front of the entire or part length of feeding cage or case, and of
about five inches wide for the hay to pass out or be pulled out by the animal
when feeding. This feeder I place between the two divisions which form each
stall, and immediately at the back of feeding trough in front of the cattle.
These feeders may also be made of circular or of other forms to suit different
situations, but still retaining the slit or narrow opening at bottom for the
animal to feed from. This bay or food feeder is particularly adapted for
horned cattle, as there is no danger of the animals getting their horns
entangled in it, as in all hay racks composed of rods or other openwork. It
also prevents waste of hay, and secures the bay seed. If any hay or seed
falls, the trough receives it, or the bottom of feeder can be so formed as to
retain the seed. The hay feeder is supplied from the top, and may be filled
from the stall or at a passage in front of the cattle, when a passage can be had
in front of the cattle. I recommend suspending the feeder so that it may swing
forwards when pushed towards the animal, in which position it could be
secured by a bolt or fastener, or it can be made to slide forwards in grooves;
this leaves the trough clear, so that food can be supplied to it from the passage
in front of the animals without entering each stall to replenish the trough.
The hay feeder is allowed to fall back to its place by removing the bolt or
Fig. 15 a side elevation of a cast-iron partition or stall separation, showing
a section of hay feeder or fodder case attached, as well as a section of improved
trough, all as arranged for cows, and according to my Invention; Fig. 2 is an
elevation, in part, of a division having seating for fodder case; Fig. 3 is a

page_text: perspective view of a range of stalls for cows, being a combination of the
partitions in a situation where a passage cannot be had in front of the cattle;
and Fig. 4 shows a range of stalls for cows where there is a passage in front of
the animal for feeding from. A is a cast-iron partition, about four feet high
by four feet four inches wide, for cow stalls, secured by bottom flanges to
stones B, as at Fig. 1, or to wood planking C, as seen at Figs. 2, 3, & 4;
these partitions are attached to each other by two strong tye rods D, D, of
round iron, the upper one passing through and securing the fodder case J, the
under one passing below and supporting the same, and binding all together
so as to form a united whole; on each side of this division is securely fixed a
slide E, on which the cattle chain L, Fig. 1, freely slides, allowing perfect
freedom to the cow or other animal to feed, &c., but preventing her coming in
contact with the other animal in the same stall; F, F, Figs. 1 & 2, are
strengthening bosses, cast on partition A, to take the tye rods D, D, before
mentioned. The base G is of circular form on a sole plate of about twelve
inches square, having holes securing it to stono or wood; it tapers gradually
upwards till it becomes merely a large beed or moulding round the upper edge,
adding to the appearance as well as to the strength of the plate. At the back
of metal partition A are cast the two flanges H, H, one at either side, see
Fig. 2, which form the seat and point of fixture for the fodder or feeding
case J, which I will herein-after describe. The trough K is placed imme-
diately in front of and below this feeder, and is made secure by being wedged
between two partitions A, or bolted to them; this trough is made of earthen-
ware or cast iron, either plain or galvanized; it has two ends and a centro
division. The front lip kis turned inwards (see Fig. 1). The improvement
in this form of trough is that the animal cannot by any possible means throw
out and thereby waste the food put before it; it also presents a round edge
towards the animal's knees, thereby preventing any injury by coming in
contact with it; the back part of this trough supports or is attached to the
bottom of fodder case J; this fodder case J is made of cast iron or of sheet
and cast iron combined, or of other suitable material, and is made continuous
where there is not room for a feeding passage in front of the cattle (see
Fig. 3). In this case it is fixed close to the wall, or I make it in sections, as
shown in Fig. 4, with round ends, leaving sufficient space between each to
allow the attendant to fill the trough K from the feeding passage; it can also
be made to swing on pivots, or slide forwards in grooves. The advantage of
this feeder or fodder case is that the hay when put in from the top J', is kept
safe and perfectly sweet till pulled out and eaten by the animal; it slopes back
from the cow, & is entirely clear of the moist food in trough K. The animal

page_text: cannot blow or breathe on the hay in the cage or feeder, there being but one
opening or slot J" (Figs. 1, 3, & 4.) of about five inches deep in front for the
cow or other animal to feed from, which is the position of feeding for all kinds
of animals. By feeding in this way they will thrive better than when they
have to pull food from racks placed above their heads, as before they can
masticate they must lower their heads to the level of their troughs, or nearly
so. The other portion of feeder being made of iron plates presents a perfectly
flat and plain surface to the animal, and therefore does not make the animal
fractious or irritable; as is the case where it gets its horns entangled or broken
off, which is of common occurrence when hay racks are used formed of rods or
bars. The back portion of fodder case J₁ (Fig. 1), next feeding passage,
I usually make of iron plates, which prevents any hay falling through, keeping
the passage clean and tidy, the only opening being the slot J" (already referred
to) situated in front, and right over the feeding trough K, no fodder can
therefore be wasted, and the bay seed may fall into the trough through the
slot Ju, or the fodder case can be so constructed as to retain it if required.
I attach the fodder case J to partition-A, Fig. 1, by means of bolts and nuts N
passing through the flange H, H, and flanges Il' cast on the fodder partition J,
which partition separates the supply for each animal, as well as strengthens
the fodder case. I usually cast this fodder division J with openings as
shewn.
My feeding cage or fodder case is equally applicable to horse stalls and loose
boxes. Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a horse stall, showing the position of feeder;
Fig. 10 is a front section of the same through the line D, D; Figs. 8 & 9
are cross sections of same through the line E, E. A is the wall of the stable
behind the feeder case B. I insert a ventilator S in the wall A for the supply
of fresh air to the stable, as shown behind the feeder, which prevents a direct
draught on the horse. G is the manger; II, the water or gruel bowl, both of
which are furnished with lips or edges i, i, turned inwards, as and for the pur-
poses before described; to this wall and between the ordinary stall division I
fix the fender case B, with its front at an angle, so as to bring the top of it
perpendic
the front of the manger, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, which
are sections of my feeder as applied to nurposes; Fig. 8 is my
method of using the feeder when ordinary hay is to be used; y
at the top B falls to B" (in the same manner as the cow feeder already
described), which is the slot or opening from which the horse feeds; the
advantages here are apparent, being similar to those already described with
reference to cow feeding. Fig. 9 shows the feeder opening B" closed with
the hinged plate B, which forms the bottom of the feeding case when

page_text: used for hay. The plate B closes the opening B" when used for chopped
hay or straw, which is thrown in at the top of the feeder and falls into the
manger G through the opening B, affording a continuous supply, and at
same time preventing any waste. I is a hollow wrought or cast-iron roller of
about two and an half inches in diameter, turning on a pivot, and fixed to each
side of the stall; the front of the manger may be closed in with boarding K,
or may be left open; C¹ is an opening in cast iron top plate of manger G,
through which the halter chain moves, passing over a pulley secured to under-
side of top plate C, or to the wall. When a passage can be had outside of
loose box or stall, the feeder, as shewn in section, Fig 11, can be applied so as
to have no projection towards the animal, and can be supplied without the
attendant entering. the stall. T is the side or end of loose box, a portion of
which forms the front of feeder B', B", the slot or opening before described.
I also adapt my principle of fodder cases, suitable to straw yards, fields, or
deer parks, and of sizes to supply 10 to 50 head of cattle, and also for sheep;
it will answer the purpose of feeding with hay, straw, or roots. Fig. 5 is an
elevation of the fodder case as adapted for the open air, having a suitable roof
to protect the contents from the weather; Fig 6 is a section of same; the
base A, B, may be formed of iron, or merely the cone A of iron, and the
remainder of brick or stone. C is an opening at the top for throwing in the
food, which is consumed at the opening or slot D all round.
Another part of my Invention relates to a plug and opening in the bottom
of the troughs for flushing and cleaning them out.
For this purpose I
make an opening in the divison which is in the trough, and insert a
plug and washer in that portion of the bottom of trough for flusbing or
cleaning it out; the plug moves up and down on a vertical rod; the lower
portion of this rod I make of a flat form, about half an inch by three-eighths;
the upper portion I make round, say, about three-eighths of an inch in
diameter. When the plug is raised, by turning it half round, it supports itself;
when the trough has been flushed, the plug is let down into its place; by this
contrivance there is no risk of losing the plug, as it cannot get out of its place,
being prevented by that portion of the division in trough exactly over it.
Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I declare that what I claim as my Invention, to be
protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, the form and arrangement of the stall partitions or divisions, and the
manner of combining those parts with the fodder case and trough, the whole
forming a complete stall, as hercin-before described and shown in the Figures
1, 2, 3, & 4, of the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed.

page_text: Secondly, I claim the arrangement of close fodder cases herein-before
described having a small or narrow opening at which the animals feed, either
applied as stable or other stall or loose box fittings, or for yards, parks, or
other open spaces, as illustrated in the Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 10, & 11,
of the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Thirdly, I claim the formation of mangers or other troughs used for feeding
horses, cows, pigs, or other animals, with lips or edges turned inwards, as and
for the purposes herein-before described, and as represented in the Drawings
annexed; I also claim the arrangement of plug and opening in the bottom
of such troughs or mangers for the purpose of cleansing them, as herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Charley Riddel, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
JOHN CHARLEY RIDDEL. (L.S.)