Year: 1888

page_text: I, WILLIAM GRAHAM LECKIE, of 12 St. Mary Axe, in the City of London, Saddle
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to certain improvements in the manufacture of saddles, and it
is designed to simplify the formation of those parts which are known as the flap and
knee and thigh pads.
I may form the flap and pads in one piece, and I effect this by placing the leather
(previously softened) which is to form the flap, between two blocks of wood or other
suitable material, which form, as it were, corresponding dies, which block the flap
into the desired shape, and, when the flap is withdrawn from the blocks, after being
allowed to set, leather is put on the under side, and the space blocked out is stuffed
up with any suitable material to form the knee and thigh pads.
Again, I may form the knee and the thigh pads separately from the flap, and in
the manner specified, and this is specially adapted in the case of the large pads used
for colonial saddles.
141
T
1000
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: improvements in the manufacture of paddles.
1, WILLIAM GRAHAM LECKIE, of 12 St. Mary Axe, in the City of London, Saddle
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:-
My invention relates to certain improvements in the manufacture of saddles, and
it is designed to simplify the formation of those parts which are known as the flap,
and knee and thigh pads.
I
may form the flap and pads in one entire piece (of solid leather), and I effect this
by placing the leather (previously softened) which is to form the flap or part of the
flap over a block of wood, or other suitable material, which forms as it were a matrix
or solid pattern by which the flap is pressed or moulded into the desired shape. This
pressure may be applied by hand, or by an upper or female block or die, the two blocks
being pressed together by any suitable force. When the flap is withdrawn from the
block, after being allowed to set, leather is put on the under side, the space blocked
out having been previously filled or stuffed up with any suitable material to form the
knee and thigh pads respectively.
Again, I may forun the knee or the thigh pads in the manner specified out of
a piece of solid leather sufficiently large to form the said pad or pads and a part
of the flap of the saddle to the remainder of which it may be attached by sewing.
This is specially adaptable in the case of the large pads used for colonial saddles.
In order that my invention may be the better understood, I now proceed to describe
the same in relation to the drawings hereunto annexed, reference being had to the
letters and figures marked thereon.
Figure 1 is a side view of one convenient form of my improved saddle.
Figures 2 and 3 are face and side elevations of a suitable male block for moulding
the ordinary knee and thigh pads.
Figures 4 and 5 are front and side elevations of a suitable male block, for moulding
the high knee and thigh pads used for colonial saddles.
With the usual moderately high padded saddles, I place the leather flap A (figure 1)
or parts of it (previously softened), upon the male pattern block B or between a male
and female block or dies, of wood, iron, or other suitable material, upon which the
desired shapes of the knee pad C, and thigh pad D, are formed, and then subject the
softened leather flap upon or between them to pressure, (either by rubbing down by
hand or by external pressure on the said dies or male and female blocks) so as to
emboss or mould out of the solid leather the required knee and thigh pads. After
being allowed to dry or set, the hollow or interior of the cavity of the embossed pad
or raised parts is filled or stuffed with felt, wool, or any other suitable material,
to form a strong, firm, and solid knee and thigh pad. After this, the inside of the flap
is finished off by a piece of thinner leather being sewn or otherwise fixed on the
inside of the said flap. Where the embossed knee pad to be produced is of great

page_text: height, such as that used on colonial saddles, shown in the block, figures 4 and 5, I
find it convenient either to prepare the flap originally of a certain shape, and to run
a slit to the highest angle of the knee pad, so that upon forming the projecting pad,
the leather will be drawn together so as to close the said slit, which is then securely.
sewn, the leather after such drawing together forming a correct outline for the.
required flap, or I may form the said pads out of a substantial part of the said flap
and of stout solid leather and unite these parts to the remainder of the flap by
sewing.
It is evident that the knee and thigh pads, so produced, out of the solid material of
the leather flap, are infinitely more neat and durable, than in the usually practised
method of sewing a piece of serge or canvas of the required shape on to the solid
leather flap, and then stuffing or filling up the pads with flock or doe hair, the whole
being quilted or worked by hand sewing, into the required shape; and finally
covered with a thin surface leather by hand tools, and worked over the serge or
canvas pads into the required shape.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what
1 claim is :-
1st. My improved process in the manufacture of saddles, by blocking up knee or
thigh pads out of the previously softened solid leather of the flap or parts of the flap,
by pressure either by hand or mechanically upon suitable matrices or pattern block,
substantially as described.
2nd. A saddle, constructed with an embossed or moulded knee or thigh pad in the
solid leather of the flap or parts of the flap, stuffed and finished from the under side,
substantially as described.
نيلين
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.