Improvements in Feed Bags and Supporting the same.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 25th Mar., 1899
Improvements in Feed Bags and Supporting the same.
I, HERMAN GEORG WEIBEZAHL, residing at No. 64, Murray. Street, in the
Borough of Manhattan, in the City and State of New York, United States of
America, Manufacturer, 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 ordinary feed-bags used to supply grain to horses attached to the head of
the animal and raised and lowered therewith, are subject to various objections,
and many efforts have been made to support a feed bag independently so that the
animal may raise and lower its head while the bag with its contents remains
stationary. My improvement attains this end with marked advantages over any
before known to me.
I have devised a construction which is capable of being packed in small compass
for stowage or transportation, and easily adjusted on animals of different sizes.
My bag can be closed, and can afford capacity for any article or material which
is to be carried along.
The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and represent what
I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention in position for use, with the
adjacent portions of the harness.
Figure 2 is a plan view of my invention alone.
Figure 3 is a side elevation with a portion in section on the line 3-3 in
Fig. 2.
Figure 4 is an elevation showing the bag closed.
Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 in Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion in an inverted position, showing a
modification. This is on a larger scale.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion showing a further modification.
This is on a still larger scale.
Figure 8 shows another modification on the same scale as in Figs. 2 and 3.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a portion showing another modification.
Figure 10 is a side view of a rule joint on a larger scale.
Figure 11 is a view of a form of the device in which the frame or brace stands
inclined and holds the bag hoop in a higher plane.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where
they appear.
A is a portion of the ordinary harness on the animal. B, D, is a horizontal frame
of general X form, in two parts, hinged together. Each branch of the rear por-
tion B, is adapted to engage by prongs B₁ with a convenient portion of the harness,
which may usually be the leather strap A¹, connecting the lower ends of the
hames. The front forks of the frame D carry eyes D', which engage with the
frame of the feed-bag, and afford it a peculiar hinged support, to be described
further on.

page_text: The hinge C connecting the parts B and D, is what is sometimes termed a rule-
joint, having the capacity to turn freely in one direction, that in which the hinge
is depressed, unless it is locked, but having the parts abutting near the joint, so
that it refuses to turn in the opposite direction, that in which the joint would
rise.
E is a sliding frame mounted under the portion B and guided by loosely set
rivets B, which are received in slots e in the frame E, so as to allow this frame
to be moved longitudinally. The ends of the frame E are provided with lugs E',
which after the prongs Bi have been engaged with the strap A¹ of the harness,
are moved nearer to the prongs B₁ by a movement of the frame E, so as to grasp
the strap A with some force. This movement is effected by a lever G, which
turns on a stud B3 on the under side of the part B and receives a stud E2 in a
curved slot g. As the lever G is turned in one direction, the frame E with its
lugs E is moved rearward or towards the animal so as to firmly clamp the harness.
I will use the letter M to indicate the metal frame having a general hoop-
form, and which I will refer to collectively as a hoop which holds extended and
constitutes the rim of the flexible bag P. Special parts thereof are indicated when
necessary by super-numerals, M is the rear half and M2 is a stout bar formed
integral therewith, extending a little distance along the mid-length with a space
between it and the adjacent curved portion M'. The ends of the part Mare
provided with thin eyes M³, each having an offset M*, which engage by loose
rivets M with corresponding eyes M and offsets A, on the ends of the front
part M8, constituting rule-joints. The bag P is of sufficiently stout canvas, and is
joined to the parts and Ms by any ordinary or suitable means, space being left
at certain points as shown, and gussets being introduced to give sufficient strength.
When the bag P is being stored or transported, the frame B, C, D, with its sliding
frame E, is folded into the interior of the bag and the hoop is closed together,
thus closing the bag. When it is to be put in use, the hoop is extended and
the frame B, D, and its attachments, turned on the eyes D' as a center, the prongs B¹
engaged with the hame strap A', and the hinge C being properly straightened, the
lever G is turned, closing the clamp E, B', upon the strap, and stiffening the
frame. The friction of the parts will hold them in position.
H is a cord permanently attached at one end to the part M on one side, passed
over and down the other side of the animal's neck, and tied to M¹ on the other
side of the bar M². This supports the weight of the apparatus with its load of grain
filling or partially filling the bag. The cord should be adjusted at such length
as to hold the bag at the proper elevation, either level or slightly inclined upward
or downward, as may be preferred for any reason.
When it is desired to again put my invention out of use, the cord H is detached,
the lever G is turned to open the clamps, and the device being depressed sufficiently
it is easily disengaged from the hame strap A', the parts B and D are folded
together by turning on the hinge C, the whole folded into the bag by turning on
the eyes and the bag closed by turning the parts M and Ms on the rule
joint M6, M7.
The frame engages by the eyes D' with the bar M2 extending over the adjacent 4
portion of the hoop M. The supporting cord H exerting its lifting force, the
arrangement causes the frame 1) to act lever-wise to hold up the bag and its load.
The lever force tends to collapse the frame B, C, D, raising its hinge C, but the
offsets C¹ forbid its rising. The strain takes up all slack, and ensures a peculiarly
firm support easily applied and removed. The locking by the engagement of the 5
part G of the lever G in the notch d, formed by a part of the frame D is not
required for this strain but only to promote convenience in manipulating the frame
if the joint becomes shackly by use.
My improved feed bag is very compact in its form when out of use, and requires
no special form of thills or other parts of the harness to allow it to be properly 5
attached and supported for use.
For cavalry use, where the weight is important the metal parts may be of

page_text: aluminium; the weight of the whole including the substantial flexible material for
the bag need not exceed one and a half pounds.
I prefer that the flexible material of the bag P, be, water-proof, so that the
bag may serve important uses, in holding and transporting water for the supply
of the animals or for other uses.
The form of my frame B, D, gives width at the front and rear ends to brace the
construction laterally with little weight.
Modifications may be made without departing from the principle or sacrificing
the advantages of the invention. I have in my experiments made the metal parts
by. casting. The width of the fork D may be increased or diminished, and in
such case the length of the bar M² may be correspondingly varied.
The bar Me may be outside instead of inside of the adjacent portion of the hoop;
in such case the eyes D' will engage with the hoop and the frame D near the eyes
will extend over and press down upon the bar M². In either position the bar M²
may be made in two separate parts or eyes a proper distance apart corresponding
to the width of the fork D.
The parts may be very light, for use in cavalry service, or in expeditions of dis-
covery or other travelling in rough regions. A slight clip O may be connected to
serve in holding the bag in the closed condition. Such is indicated in Fig. 5.
The cord H may if preferred, be attached to points near the front of the frame, D
instead of the adjacent portions of the hoop. Fig. 6 shows eyes to facilitate the
attachment to the frame. The effect is about the same.
In Figure 6, while the portions B, D, are separate, they are not hinged together
as previously described, but have a sliding connection. The portion D carries a
guideway D³, in which slides the neck B7, of the part B. A cam lever G is pivoted
to the guideway and has the slot in its curved part g, engaging a stud E2 on the
portion B. By throwing the lever G in one direction or the other, the frame
formed by the portions B, D, will be extended or contracted in length as will be
obvious. In this construction also, instead of prongs B¹ and lugs E', being on
separate parts and moved together to clamp the strap, the portion B has prongs B
and lugs E cast integrally therewith; with such arrangement, the frame is held
at an angle permitting the prongs B to be introduced behind the strap after which
by moving the frame in the direction of a horizontal position, the lugs will bear
against the other side of the strap and the prongs and lugs will conjointly serve to
support the frame.
In Figure 7, the form of prong B shown is a cylindrical pin. In this construc-
tion the prongs and lugs are to be integral with the portion B.
In Figure 8, the X-shaped frame is illustrated as being in one piece comprising
the central part 133 inner forked part B, and front forked part D³,
the latter having hooks D for engaging the bar of the bag hoop.
The fork members of the part 13 having each at the ends prongs B
and lugs B6, the former being the shorter. By this arrangement
the lugs B6, B6, will serve for effective engagement with the harness, whilst the
shorter members will effectively maintain such engagement when a force is exerted
tending to depress the outer end of the X-shaped frame.
The perspective view, Fig. 9, shows another means for adjusting the clamp,
more especially intended for use in cavalry service. I is a loosely fitted spur gear
wheel which may be turned by operating on the cross ridge or handle I¹. It sets
the clamp by acting on the series of rack teeth 1, extending longitudinally on
the sliding clamp E and is held fast in any position in which it comes to rest, by
friction, or by additional means, if preferred in any case.
The cord H may be utilized when the device is out of use and in the folded
condition, to hold the two parts of the hoop M¹, M8, closed together. It may also
serve to suspend the device under a wagon or to the side in cavalry service.
The closing of the device protects the contents from receiving dust or mud.
By inclining the frame or brace as shown in Figure 11, and correspondingly
bending the joining parts the hoop and the bag will be held higher, and the weight

page_text: is more easily supported. This form may be preferred, in some cases, as tending
to more rigidly hold and brace both the bag hoop and the supporting frame.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A hoop having a feed bag attached thereto and distended thereby and a sup-
porting cord therefore, in combination with a frame having its rear end adapted
to be engaged with widely separated portions of the harness so as to brace the
device against lateral swinging, and its forward end engaging with the hoop by
extending over one part and under another so as to stiffly support the hoop in a
horizontal position, substantially as herein specified.
2. A hoop in two parts united by rule joints, a feed bag attached to said hoop
and a supporting cord, a bar M² strongly attached to the hoop, in combination
with a frame rigid when adjusted for use and having its rear end adapted to be
engaged with the harness to be braced against lateral swinging and its forward
end engaging with the hoop by passing over a part M¹ and under the bar M
thereof, substantially as herein specified.
3. A bag, a distending hoop and a supporting cord passing over the animal, in
combination with a horizontal frame having provisions for attaching to the hoop
to firmly hold the same against swinging in one direction by the frame acting as
a lever, and prongs at the other end, adapted to be easily applied to and removed
from a strap in the front portion of the harness in an upright position and to be
strongly held engaged by the friction due to the distortional strain when turned
to the proper working position, all substantially as herein specified.
4. A flexible bag, a distending hoop and a cord therefor, in combination with
a main frame connected with the hoop and having prongs for engaging the harness,
a frame carried by said main frame movable longitudinally thereof and having
lugs, and means & for moving and holding such frame to clamp the harness
between said prongs and lugs, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 14th day of November 1898.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.