IM- PROVEMENTS IN SADDLERY AND HARNESS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Gregson Banner, of Cranham Hall,
in the County of Essex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN SADDLERY AND HARNESS."
Sealed the 9th May 1854, and dated the 11th November 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Gregson
Banner at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 11th November 1853.
I, EDWARD GREGSON BANNER, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SADDLERY AND HARNESS" to be as
follows:-
Firstly, to provide for the comfort of animals drawing vehicles by
making the collar on which the traces are attached by "ames" hollow
and elastic. That part of the collar where the ames or "hames'
are fitted to be made in the usual way, but that part resting upon the
shoulders or withers of the horse or other animal to be made of india-
rubber waterproof canvass, or any other elastic or semi-elastic material,
and to be filled or inflated with air, so that it may form a soft and
yielding cushion. Secondly, to provide for using a single riding or

page_text: driving rein, so as to work or pull upon the bit, either as snaffle or curb.
Thus I attach one end of a piece of vulcanized india-rubber to that
portion of the bit loop into which the snaffle rein is (usually) buckled;
this may be from 4 to 6 inches long; the other end is secured to a ring;
a small chain runs from this ring to one of the loops in the pendant
part of the bit forming the curb (a similar apparatus is applied to the
other side). While the pull upon the rein is slight the snaffle only is
in play, but when necessary to pull up sharp the elastic material being
stretched to the requisite length brings the chain which communicates
to the curb loop into play, and so curbs the animal. Thirdly, to prevent
horses getting the bit either over or back beyond the teeth, or other-
wise taking what is technically termed the "bit in his jaws," I propose
placing a small cord of vulcani india-rubber or other clastic material;
thus I hook or attach one end thereof to the snaffle ring of the bit (on
both sides thereof), and pass it over the horse's nose, so that by a loop
or other elastic fastening I attach the cord to the nose strap, and so
suspend the bit in the mouth of the horse, allowing the animal no
means of passing it either backwards or forwards, and at the same time
relieving the mouth from part of the pressure thereof.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Edward Gregson Banner in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 11th May. 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
EDWARD GREGSON BANNER, of Cranhamı Hall, in the County of Essex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the seven-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Edward Gregson. Banner, Her
special licence that I, the said Edward Gregson Banner, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edward

page_text: Gregson Banner, 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 Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SADDLERY AND HARNESS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Edward Gregson Banner, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and seal, 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 Edward Gregson Banner, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters of
reference marked thereon.
Part of my Invention has for its object to provide for the comfort of
animals drawing vehicles by making the collar on which the traces are
attached by lames elastic, making that part of the collar where the
hames are fitted in the usual manner; but I make that part resting
upon the shoulders or withers of the horse or other animal of india-
rubber, waterproof canvass, or any other elastic or semi-elastic material,
and I inflate it with air. Part of my Invention consists of attaching
one end of a piece of vulcanized india-rubber to that portion of the bit
loop into which the snaffle rein is usually buckled, the other end being
secured to a ring.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1, shews this part of the Invention applied to a driving rein;
and Figure 2, shews this part of my Invention applied to a riding rein
or bridle; the other Figures shew in detail the means I prefer to resort
to for fixing the ends of vulcanized india-rubber, but other than my
means of fixing the ends may be resorted to. Figures 3, and 4, show

page_text: two forms of the spring eye or hook to which one end of the india-
rubber a is fixed. In one the india-rubber serves as the spring for
the moveable part of the eye, in the other a metal spring is used; the
other end of the india-rubber a is attached to a metal holder b, (shewn
at Figures 5 and 6). Figure 5, shews the metal b, and a piece of
leather c rivetted thereto; and Figure 6, shews the mode of fastening
the india-rubber, which is tubular, over the screw thread formed on
the metal b. The india-rubber is fastened by a piece of cord or twine
bound on the outside. The rivetted picce of leather is to be fastened
to the rein by stitching in the usual manner; a small chain or strap
is attached to one of the loops in the pendant part of a bit forming the
curb. By having apparatus a, a, attached at each end of a rein or bridle
it will be evident that when the pull upon the rein or bridle is slight
the snaffle only will be in action, but when necessary to pull up sharp
the elastic material will be stretched to the requisite length, and will
bring the chain or strap a, which communicates to the curb loop into
action, and so curbs the animal. I would remark that I am aware
that it has before been proposed to introduce springs of metal to the
ends of reins and bridles in order to obtain a like result to that above
described, but metal springs are objectionable, and do not answer so
well as vulcanized india-rubber; I do not therefore claim the use of
springs in general for such purposes, but only the application of india-
rubber.
Another part of my Invention has for its object means of preventing
a horse getting the bit either over or back beyond the teeth, or other-
wise taking what is usually termed the bit in his jaws. For this purpose
I place a small cord or strap g, Figures 1, and 2, of vulcanized india-
rubber or other elastic material, so that the bit is suspended in the
mouth, of the horse, allowing the animal no means of passing it either
backwards or forwards, and at the same time releasing the lower part
of the mouth from part of the pressure thereof.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
in which the same is performed, I desire it to be understood that I do
not confine myself to the details herein-before given, as variations may
be made therein without departing from the principle thereof; nor do I

page_text: claim the parts seperately. But what I claim is,- First, the improvement
in collars herein described. Secondly, the application of vulcanized
india-rubber to reins and bridles, as herein described. Thirdly, the
application of an elastic apparatus to suspend the bit to the upper jaw,
as herein described. Fourthly, the spring eye or hook fastenings,
Figures 3 and 4. And lastly, the metallic holder, as shewn at Figures
5 and 6, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Gregson Banner, have
heretofore set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of May, One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
Witness,
JOHN GEDGE,
Patent Agent,
EDW. G. BANNER. (L.S.)
4, Wellington Street South,
Strand, London.