Improveше
Year: 1896

page_text: Improveше
I, STEPHEN O'CONNOR, Harness Maker, of King Street, Ballina, Co. Mayo,
Ireland, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My improvement consists firstly in changing the position of the stirrup leathers
by placing them in front of the riders knees instead of in the usual place.
Secondly, I use a combined safety stirrup leather clasp and girth bar, the clasp
being so constructed so as to open with a spring in case of the rider being thrown.
The stirrup leathers are attached to the spring clasp by a D or square shaped
addition to or continuation of the buckles. The safety clasp is rivetted above the
point of the tree and in front, so that the stirrup leathers will be placed on the
front part of the flaps. The girth-bar which is combined with the stirrup leather
clasp extends backwards and upwards, the upward end of it being rivetted to the
upper part of the side of the saddle-tree. The girth bar is provided with slits
within which the girth straps are fastened; corresponding slits being also made in
the saddle flaps so that the straps may pass through them, and down behind the
flaps. The flaps are made to afford a good and comfortable grip by having the
parts under the knees padded, and covered with doe-skin or light hog-skin. I also
provide short knee rolls or pads to prevent the stirrup leathers coming into contact
with the riders knees. These pads are covered with hog-skin, as doe-skin would
not stand the friction. The padded part of the flap is only to extend to just
below the knees, in order that the stirrup leathers may be at liberty to extend back
as far as may he required on the bottom of the pads. The front and bottom parts
of the flaps on which the stirrup leathers are free to move are to be plain and
strong. The back part of the flaps are to be supported by light rolls or pads, and
well sloped back under the seat.
Dated this 31st day of January 1896.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
23 Coleman Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Riding Saddles.
I, STEPHEN O'CONNOR, Harness Maker, of 7, King Street, Ballina, Co. Mayo,
Ireland, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what mauner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
My improvement consists firstly in changing the position of the stirrup leathers
by placing them in front of the riders knees instead of in the usual place.
Secondly, I use a combined safety stirrup-leather clasp and girth bar, the clasp

page_text: being so constructed as to open with a spring in case of the rider being thrown.
The stirrup leathers are attached to the spring clasp by a D or square shaped
addition to or continuation of the buckles. The safety clasp is rivetted above the
point of the tree under the skirt and in front, so that the stirrup leather will be on
the front part of the flaps. The girth bar which is combined with the stirrup-
leather clasp extends backwards and upwards, the upward end of it being rivetted
to the upper part of the side of the saddle-tree. The girth bar is provided with
slots within which the girth straps are fastened, corresponding slots being also
made in the saddle flaps, so that the straps may pass through them, and down
behind the flaps. The flaps are made to afford a good and comfortable grip by
having the parts under the knees padded, and covered with doe skin or light hog
skin. also provide short knee rolls or pads to prevent the stirrup leathers
coming into contact with the riders' knees. These pads are covered with hog
skin, as doe skin would not stand the friction. The padded part of the flap is
only to extend to just below the knees, in order that the stirrup leathers may be
at liberty to extend back as far as may be required on the bottom of the pads.
The front and bottom parts of the flaps on which the stirrup leathers are free to
move are to be plain and strong. The back part of the flaps are to be supported
by light rolls or pads and well sloped back under the seat.
In order that my invention may be the more readily understood, I make reference
to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which,
Fig. 1 is a side view of one of my improved saddles.
Figs. 2 and 3 side views of the girth bar, the former showing the spring clasp
closed and the latter the clasp opened.
Similar letters indicate the same parts.
a the stirrup-leather placed in front of the riders' knees instead of in the usual
place 6 stirrup-leather buckle; c spring safety clasp attached to or forming part
of the girth bar d, the upward end of which is rivetted or otherwise attached to
the upper part of the saddle-tree sides, as at e, the spring clasp end being also
attached to the saddle tree. slots in the bar through which are passed the girth
straps g, the straps also passing through the slots h in the saddle flap i, and thence
down behind the flap. jare short knee rolls or pads to prevent the stirrup-leather
coming in contact with the riders' knees, but not extending much below the knee
so as not to prevent the stirrup leather passing rearward as far as possible. k rolls
supporting back part of the flap. 1 padded part of flap.
As will be seen from the above description and the accompanying drawings,
considerable variation can be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention, and I therefore do not restrict myself precisely to what is described or
shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
1. In riding saddles, placing the stirrup straps in front of the saddle flaps,
substantially as described in the above specification and exemplified in the
accompanying drawings.
2. In riding saddles attaching the stirrup leather to a spring clasp attached to
or forming part of the girth bar, the said clasp being arranged to open and
release the stirrup leathers in the event of the rider being thrown, the whole
substantially as described in the above specification and exemplified in the
accompanying drawings.
3. In riding saddles providing them with knce rolls to keep the stirrup leather
off the riders' knees, substantially as described in the above specification and
exemplified in the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 4. In riding saddles a girth bar having attached to it or forming part thereof
a spring clasp for bolding the buckles of the stirrup leathers, substantially
as described in the above specification and exemplified in the accompanying
drawings.
5. In riding saddles a slotted girth bar, substantially as described in the above
specification and exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
6. In riding saddles, providing them with stirrup leathers in front of the riders'
knees, and attached by a buckle to a spring clasp so as to readily release them-
selves should the rider be thrown, the said saddle having a padded portion guarded
in front by knee pads or rolls and supported by rolls behind the above mentioned
spring clasp being attached to or forming part of a slotted girth bar, the whole
provided for and operating substantially as described in the above specification,.
and exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 28th day of October 1896.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
23, Coleman Street, London, E.C., Agents for Applicant.