Improvements in or relating to Apparatus or Devices for Holding the Reins and the Wheels of Road Vehicles
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Apparatus or Devices for Holding
the Reins and the Wheels of Road Vehicles,
I, JOSEPH TRANTOM, of 11 and 13, Cheapside, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Grocer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide apparatus or devices for holding reins and
the wheels of road vehicles.
In one arrangement my improved rein-holder consists of two horizontal plates
between which the reins are to be held, a staple crossing the middle of the upper plate
and cast upon or made fast to the base plate, a pair of cams (one upon each side of
the staple, in operation pressing down the upper plate) with a handle or lever
thereto, and a rivet or short bolt passing through the staple and cams so as to
provide an axle or fulcrum for the latter. The apparatus is made for attachment to a
dashboard or other convenient part of a vehicle, for which purpose preferably the base
plate is extended, but such plate may be dispensed with by extending and fashioning
the limbs of the staple (or its equivalent) to effect such attachment. The upper plate
or both plates may be dished or hollowed and the ends curved, in order that reins of
varying thicknesses may be readily brought and firmly held between the plates. I
preferably place india-rubber washers or spiral springs around the parts of the staple,
between the two plates, to prevent noise and to keep the plates normally apart.
Instead of one staple with two cams I may fix two staples (or their equivalent) with
one cam operating between them.
In another construction I erect upon the base plate a pillar having a horizontal arm
(preferably tapering) which forms the axle of the cam. Preferably I so shape an
extension of the cam and corresponding parts of the pillar, that the two can only be
placed in working connection or be separated while the rein-holder is unattached. In
this modification an upper plate may be dispensed with, and the whole may consist of
two pieces or castings only.
The operation of the foregoing constructions is like that of a cam-lever letter-
copying or printing press.
Another construction is to cast or to otherwise fasten upon the base plate two or
more pillars and fix between them a nearly elliptical spring or springs, down the sides
of which and between which and the pillars the reins are to be passed or slid into
tight positions; or I may attach the elliptical spring to and within an inverted cup
affixed capwise over the base plate, such cup or cap being slotted so that reins may
be slid or passed down the slots while pressed more or less by the spring or springs;
or I may dispense with springs and arrange such a combination of slots and pillars
above-mentioned with surfaces so inclined or curved with respect to other surfaces
that the passage of reins down the slots wedges them into secure positions; or I may
lay horizontally and attach the elliptical spring to the base plate by means of one or
more vertical bolts, in which case reins are passed into secure positions by horizontal
movement.
I may protect and strengthen this arrangement by a cover attached to.

page_text: the spring or preferably attached to both the spring and base plate or cast in one
with the latter. Or I may make in one piece with the plate used for attachment an
elliptical or such like spring, placed horizontally.
When my improved rein-holder is constructed for use in the act of driving I erect
upon the base plate two vertical axles upon each of which a pawl or cam may rotate
horizontally, designed to grip, as a forward movement (that is, towards the animal)
takes place, a rein or pair of reins between the cam and a spring frame connected to
and moving with and betwixt both cams. When a return inovement (or driver's pull)
is made, the rotation of the pawls or cams liberates the reins. The spring frame is
preferably so shaped that reins are easily separated and guided down its edges to the
gripping positions. Low pillars upon the base plate serve as stops preventing undue
motion of the pawls or cams and frame. The resiliency of the frame provides for
irregular thicknesses of reins. Or I erect on the base plate four vertical axles upon
which two pairs of pawls or cams may rotate and grip a rein or reins between each
pair, in which case the spring frame is dispensed with: to separate and guide the
reins with facility I may erect on the base plate a suitably fixed arch in order tö
lock the grip of the reins when the driver temporarily leaves the vehicle, I prefer-
ably affix to the base plate a pair of locking cams so designed that the raising of the
handle or lever thereto causes them to press the cheeks of pawls or cams engaged in
gripping reins, and thereby tightening and locking the grip.
In another arrangement, I construct a contrivance preferably of metal in such a
form that when fixed,' hung or pivoted upon a dashboard or any board or plate fixed
in a suitable position in or upon a vehicle, it will when the reins are placed in position
press them against the edge or side of the said boards or plate and so hold them.
This contrivance is so arranged that when the reins are slipped into it and a pull is
applied to the reins by the animal, or by any other means, it brings them into
contact with a rod or its equivalent, which rod or a connection there with is so
shaped that a pull or pressure upon the reins acting upon the first section, exerts a
leverage upon another section which presses the reins against the dashboard or other
board or plate and thus firmly holds them. I preferably so arrange the contrivance
that the reins may be slipped sideways into effective positions but I may also
arrange it in such a way that when the reins are laid across the edge of the dashboard
or its equivalent they may be firmly secured by pressing the contrivance upon them.
The advantages of this arrangement are that reins may be instantly and firmly
secured and as quickly and easily released.
For the purpose of locking, checking or holding the wheels of vehicles, so as to
prevent rotation, I also provide a wheel-stop comprising a metal clip, secured by a
rod, chain or other suitable connection to a vehicle, preferably opposite the top of a
wheel or thereabout, spanning across the rim or tyre of such wheel. Being held or
restrained by the connection named on the inner side of the wheel a movement of
the vehicle causing a wheel to turn even slightly, immediately imposes a twist upon
the clip which locks the wheel. A continuation of the clip outwards from the wheel
forms a bandle whereby it is readily placed on the tyre or removed from it to a resting
position provided on or about the vehicle.
In another arrangement I provide a suitable shoe or drag and furnish it with, a
handle or eye at one corner or at the side. The shoe is anchored at or near one of
the corners to the vehicle by a rod or bar, or by a series of rods or bars hinged or
loosely riveted together, or by any of these means supplemented with a chain or by
a chain only. The arrangement is such that by one operation or more I may free so
much of the connection that the shoe or drag will be placed in a position on the
ground to receive the wheel and form a temporary runner, receiving the weight of
the wheel, and by friction on the ground arresting the speed of a vehicle in going
down hill. By a further operation or operations I can further release the shoe
sufficiently without severing of connection with the vehicle to allow the wheel to pass
off it and resume rotation, leaving the shoe behind the wheel. The shoe can then be
replaced on its suspensory hook or elsewhere, and the connection being at one side
facilitates this being done. The advantages of this invention are that shoes may be

page_text: more readily placed in effective positions, and that after being locked or skidded
wheels may be instantly released without stopping and backing the vehicle as is
necessary at present, and the shoe being still attached to the vehicle may be replaced
in position when convenient.
M
1
1007
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus or Devices for Holding
the Reins and the Wheels of Road Vehicles.
I, JOSEPH TRANTOM, of 11 and 13, Cheapside, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Grocer, 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:-
The object of this invention is to provide an apparatus or device for holding reins
and the wheels of road vehicles.
thein.
In one arrangement I form my rein holder of a contrivance preferably of metal in
such a form that when fixed, hung or pivoted upon a dash board or any board or plate
fixed in a suitable position in or upon a vehicle, it will when the reins are placed in
position press them against the edge or side of the said boards or plate and so hold
This contrivance is so arranged that when the reins are slipped into it and a
pull is applied to the reins by the animal, or by any other means, it brings them into
contact with a rod or its equivalent, which rod or a connection therewith is so shaped
that a pull or pressure upon the reins acting upon the first section, exerts a leverage
upon another section which presses the reins against the dashboard or other board or
plate and thus firmly holds them. I preferably so arrange the contrivance that the
reins may be slipped sideways into effective positions but I may also arrange it in
such a way that when the reins are laid across the edge of the dashboard or its equi-
valent they may be firmly secured by pressing the contrivance upon them. The
advantages of this arrangement are that reins may be instantly and firmly secured
and as quickly and easily released.
It will be best understood from the following description, reference being had to
the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a front view of the rein holder in use;
Figure 2, an end view thereof with the dashboard in section;
Figure 3, a front view of a slightly modified form ;
Figure 4, a rein holder suited for holding other shaped reins as well as flat;
Figure 5, an end view thereof.
In all these cases, I form the rein holder in such a manner that the reins will be
pinched or gripped between a lever and a stationary abutment, the gripping action
being by leverage automatically and proportionately increased, as the reins are pulled
forward, while by manipulating the reins or the holder, the former will be at once
loosened. In Figures 1 and 2 iny improved rein holder comprises a lever A hinged
at B and an abutment E. The opposite end of the lever is formed with a transverse
arın C, and intermediate between the arm C and the hinge B and by preference
parallel thereto, is the main body D which grips the reins in position against the
stationary abutment E, which in this case is the dashboard of the vehicle or a plate
thereon. Between the main body D and the parts B and C are the hiati b and c, and
as both the parts C and D project laterally in the same direction, the entrance to

page_text: these hiati are on the same side of the lever, and thus enable the reins to be inserted
and slipped under the body D and through the hiati b and c from the one side. F is
a short arm which, by striking against the dashboard or plate E, limits the movement
of the lever A. The body piece D is curved outwards slightly at d to facilitate the
reins being easily passed between D and E.
Now it will be seen that if a pair of flat leather reins G are laid together and passed
laterally into position between the main body D and the abutment E they will be
held in position and any tension applied in the direction of the arrow on the reins G
will exert a corresponding pull on the arm C of the lever A, with the result that the
reins are squeezed by the force of tension multiplied by the leverage employed
between the body piece D and the abutment E, thus firmly gripping and holding
them. The removal of the reins G can be instantaneously effected by a lateral
movement towards d.
It will be obvious that instead of placing the body piece D intermediate between
C and B, the positions may be reversed as shown in Figure 3, in which case C is the
transverse arm as before, while the hinge B is placed intermediate between C and the
body piece D. E is a stationary abutment, which in this case is firmly fastened to
the dashboard of the vehicle. It will be seen that in action, the pull of the reins
turns the lever on its hinge B and results in the reins being gripped between D and
the abutment E, thus securely holding them. The distance of C from B should be
somewhat greater than the distance from D to B. This form of lever might be made
equally well solid instead of in skeleton form.
In Figures 4 and 5 the lever is of the same class as in Figures 1 and 2, the body
piece D being intermediate between the arm C and the hinge or pivot B. E is the
stationary abutment, which in this case is provided with a movable face I mounted
on a more or less vertical pivot or hinge secured behind the dashboard or in any other
suitable position. The movement of the face H on its pivot or hinge provides that
equal gripping pressure is exerted upon each rein irrespectively of any difference
there may be in their thickness, this design of rein holder being specially suited for
holding other than flat reins, such as those which are circular in cross section.
may be used equally well for holding a single pair, or two or more pairs of reins.
It
It is obvious that the details already given of my invention may be modified with-
out impairing the efficiency thereof, for example, I may prefer to attach a movable
face to the body-piece D instead of to the abutment E, as shown in Figures 4 and 5,
or I may use this device as an addition to the gripping surface of D or E in either
of the forms of my invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
For the purpose of locking, checking or holding the wheels of vehicles, so as to
prevent rotation, I also provide a wheel-stop comprising a metal clip, secured by a
rod, chain or other suitable connection to a vehicle, preferably opposite the top of a
wheel or thereabout, spanning across the rim or tyre of such wheel. Being held or
restrained by the connection named on the inner side of the wheel a movement of
the vehicle causing a wheel to turn even slightly, immediately imposes a twist upon
the clip which locks the wheel. A continuation of the clip outwards from the wheel
forms a handle whereby it is readily placed on the tyre or removed from it to a rest-
ing position provided on or about the vehicle.
In another arrangement I provide a suitable shoe or drag and furnish it with a
handle or eye at one corner or at the side. The shoe is anchored at or near one of
the corners to the vehicle by a rod or bar, or by a series of rods or bars hinged
or loosely riveted together, or by any of these means supplemented with a chain
or by a chain only. The arrangement is such that by one operation or more I
may free so much of the connection that the shoe or drag will be placed in a
position on the ground to receive the wheel and form a temporary runner, receiving
the weight of the wheel, and by friction on the ground arresting the speed of a
vehicle in going down hill. By a further operation or operations I can further release
the shoe sufficiently without severing of connection with the vehicle to allow the wheel
to pass off it and resume rotation, leaving the shoe behind the wheel. The shoe
can then be replaced on its suspensory hook or elsewhere, and the connection being

page_text: at one side facilitates this being done. The advantages of this invention are that
shoes may be more readily placed in effective positions, and that after being locked
or skidded wheels may be instantly released without stopping and backing the vehicle
as is necessary at present, and the shoe being still attached to the vehicle may be
replaced in position when convenient.
Referring again to the drawings, Figure 6 is a view of the wheel stop in use,
Figure 7, a detail view of the clip only. Referring to these figures, I provide a
metal clip I which is secured by a chain J or other suitable coupling to the vehicle K
preferably at a point L above the wheel M. This clip is formed with a jaw N for
receiving the wheel tyre, and one of its shoulders or abutments is provided with a
spring O in such a manner that the distance between the spring O and the opposite
shoulder n is the same as or slightly less than the width of the wheel tyre. P is its
handle. In use the clip is lifted by the handle P, and placed across the tyre of the
wheel M; the spring 0, pressing against the edge of the tyre, keeps the clip in
position. Any movement of the vehicle causing the wheel to revolve, at once
imposes a twist upon the clip, and as the clip is coupled to the vehicle by the chain,
it clutches the wheel tyre as indicated in Figure 6 and prevents the wheel revolving.
The removal of the wheel stop is effected by lifting the clip off the wheel by means
of the handle P.
Instead of using the clip I for locking the wheel, I may use a shoe or slipper Q
shown in Figure 8, which can be applied and removed without the inconvenience of
stopping the vehicle at all. With this object in view the shoe Q is suspended by
chains R attached to its inner flange 9 and more than counterbalanced by the weight S.
By raising the weight the shoe will be lowered to and placed in a position on the
ground to receive the wheel M and form a temporary runner receiving the weight of
the wheel and by friction on the ground arresting the speed of the vehicle. To keep
the shoe in position under the wheel, it is anchored at one corner by rods Tor chains
to the pivoted lever U which latter is fastened in position by the detent V. So long
as the lever U is fastened by the detent the shoe Q cannot slip behind the wheel, as
the rods T keep it under the wheel. If however the lever U be released from the
detent V, the lever will, turning on its pivot W, drop to a lower position thus releas-
ing the shoe Q sufficiently to allow the wheel M to roll off it and resume rotation on
the roadway, leaving the shoe behind the wheel. The shoe is then drawn to one side
of the wheel by hand or automatically, the lever U raised and the weight S pulled
down, whereby the shoe again occupies the position depicted in Figure 8. The
advantage of these arrangements is that shoes may be more readily placed in effective
positions, and that after being locked or skidded wheels may be instantly released
without stopping and backing the vehicle, and the shoe being still attached to the
vehicle may be replaced in position when convenient.
Instead of using a weight S and double chains R, Figure 8, I sometimes support
the shoe on a cord or chain which is continued over a pulley and along or across the
vehicle to a convenient detent contrived to hold the same until purposely detached,
when the effects described above in respect to raising the weight S follow. When
desirable, as an alternative to the preceding, I provide the arrangement shown in
Figures 9, 10 and 11 in which Figure 9 is a front view of the vehicle showing the
brake shoe in action, Figure 10 a view of the vehicle in which the brake shoe is
freed from the wheel and forced to the rear thereof, and Figure 11 a detail elevation
of the mechanism on the back or inner face of same together with the connections
in their norinal position when the brake shoe is replaced. In these Figures I hinge
to the inner side of the shoe Q a rod r, to which I attach a cord or chain R¹ which
is continued over a pulley R2 and provided at the end with a metal ring or eye R³,
or the cord R¹ may be attached direct to the shoe. The rod r resists the tendency
of the shoe Q to fall outward, which tendency is greater in wide and heavy shoes
than in narrow and light ones, and furthermore such rod ? may be bent or cranked
so as to avoid in operation contact or collision with the wheel M. To further
facilitate the manipulation of this improved shoe, I usually add the following or an
equivalent device for the purpose of automatically returning the shoe from the rear

page_text: of the wheel M and replacing it in the position of readiness for further use such as
illustrated in Figure 8. This comprises a spring X attached at one end to the frame
of the vehicle, and at the other to the pivoted lever U, which as already described
is coupled to the shoe Q by means of the connecting rods T. V is the detent which
in this case is by preference a spring catch for holding the lever U in position. This
detent in conjunction with the lever U and the rods T is of sufficient strength to
ensure the shoe being kept directly under the wheel to skid it when the pivoted
lever U is locked in this position. Y is a hooked lever (pivoted at y to the lever U)
which is so formed as to engage under certain conditions the metal ring R³ on the
end of the cord R¹. Z Z are cords attached respectively to V and Y and capable
of being operated by the driver. Now it will be seen that if the cord Z be pulled
when the apparatus is in the position shown in Figure 9, the lever U will be
liberated, and the shoe being thus set free from restraint, the wheel, provided the
vehicle is in motion, will roll off and force the shoe to its rear, as shown in Figure 10,
a tension being thereby imposed upon the helical spring X, by which the rod r
now exerts a pull on the shoe Q which draws it automatically to the front again,
the shoe passing along the inner side of the wheel M, to facilitate which the
forward edge of the shoe bottom is cut or formed diagonally. It will be seen from
an inspection of Figure 10 that the forcing of the shoe to the rear of the wheel,
places the eye R³ in such a position that the hook of the lever Y is ready to engage
the ring or eye R³. The pulling forward of the shoe also draws the hook Y into.
engagement with the eye R³, and pulls it into the position shown in Figure 11
with the shoe automatically replaced. The shoe is easily released from the hooked
lever by the driver pulling the cord Z. This turns the lever Y on its pivot y
and brings the eye R3 against a spur u on the lever U which ejects the ring R³,
when effects follow previously recited, bringing about the position shown in
Figure 9. The cords Z Z may be joined in one and carried through staples in
the vehicle body or shafts to any position the driver occupies. It will be seen that
the person in charge of the vehicle in applying the brake has only to pull such
combined cord, and in removing the brake from the wheel he pulls the cord again.
The rest of the operation is automatic.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The improvement in rein holders, which consists in forming them of a hinged
lever having two lateral arms with spaces between, into which the reins can be
passed, one arm being adapted to receive the pull of the reins and communicates
said pull to the other arm, in combination with an abutment so arranged relatively
to said lever that if the reins be laid together and passed between one arm and the
abutment, and in front of the other arm and pressure applied, the said reins will be
gripped against the abutment, the gripping action being proportional to the leverage
and the pull on the reins, substantially as described.
2. A rein holder consisting of a lever hinged to the dashboard or other part of the
vehicle, and having lateral arms with spaces between into which the reins can be
passed, said arms being so arranged that when the reins are placed in the holder and
tension applied, one of the arms will grip or pinch the reins against the dashboard
or other part, the pull of the reins acting on the other arm to maintain the grip,
substantially as described.
3. A rein holder consisting of a hinged lever composed of two equal or unequal
arms, both somewhat wider than the width of the reins, in combination with an
abutment arranged in proximity to the end of one of the arms, whereby if the reins
be placed on the face of the arms and tension applied, the pull on one arm of the
lever will result in the reins being gripped between the other arm and the abutment,
the gripping action being proportional to the leverage and the pull on the reins
substantially as described.
4. In rein holders of the kind described, forming the stationary abutment, or

page_text: conversely the gripping part of the lever, with a movable face so arranged that it will
automatically adjust itself to grip reins of varying thicknesses, substantially as
described.
5. The improvements in apparatus for holding the wheels of road vehicles which
consists of a metal clip having a jaw to receive the wheel tyre, and in this jaw a
spring for holding the clip transversely on the tyre, whereby if the clip be anchored
to the vehicle and placed on the tyre the wheel will be clutched by said clip and
prevented from revolving, substantially as described.
6. An apparatus for holding the wheels of road vehicles of that kind in which there
is a shoe or slipper anchored to the vehicle, the arrangement whereby by one
operation so much of the connection may be freed that the shoe will be placed in a
position on the ground to receive the wheel, and form a temporary runner and by
friction on the ground arrest the speed of the vehicle and by a further operation
release the shoe sufficiently without severing its connection with the vehicle to allow
the wheel to pass off it and resume rotation leaving the shoe behind the wheel,
substantially as described.
7. In combination, for the purpose of enabling a brake shoe to be applied to a
wheel and released therefrom without stopping or backing the vehicle, a shoe
suspended at the side. from the vehicle by means of a chain cord or otherwise, a lever
pivoted to the vehicle, rods or their equivalent coupling the said lever with a point
at or near one of the corners of the shoe, and means for holding and releasing the
pivoted lever, whereby by slacking the chain or cord the shoe is partly freed and
placed in a position on the ground to receive and prevent rotation of the wheel,
while by releasing the pivoted lever, the connection is further freed and the wheel
will pass
off the shoe and resume rotation, leaving the shoe behind the
wheel, substantially as described.
8. Also in combination with the matter set forth in Claim 7, the mechanism for
pulling forward the shoe from the rear of the wheel and replacing it ready for
renewed use, substantially as set forth.
9. In apparatus for holding the wheels of road vehicles, suspending the shoe from
the vehicle by chains R passing over rollers and counterbalanced by weights S,
whereby by raising the weight the shoe will be lowered to and placed in position on
the ground to receive the wheel, or by lowering the weight the converse action will
take place, substantially as set forth.
10. The various arrangements and construction of parts forming my improved
apparatus for holding the reins and the wheels of road vehicles substantially as set
forth.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Patent Agents, of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London.