IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HOLDING AND GUIDING REINS
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.'
I, ALBIN WARTH of Stapleton in the County. of Richmond, in the State of
New York, one of the United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declaré
the nature of said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HOLDING
AND GUIDING REINS," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention relates to mechanical means for supporting the reins by which
horses are driven and consists of certain combinations or devices which while
supporting the reins, permit the driver to draw in one or more reins and to let out
one or more other reins. The Invention is applicable to the control of one or more
pairs of reins and the said combinations are recited in the claims at the end of this
Specification.
The Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing in which
Figure 1, is a plan view of my rein controller when adapted to three pairs of
horses.
Figure 2, is a side view partly in section showing the positions of parts when the
reins are in use.
Figure 3, is a cross section in the plane of the line x x Fig. 1.
Figure 4, is a longitudinal section in the plane of the line y y Fig. 3.
Figure 5, is a side view showing the positions of parts when the reins are not
in use.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 are detail views of parts, Fig. 7 being a cross section on the
line z z Fig. 2.
Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate two ways of mounting the controller on a vehicle;
Fig. 11 being a detail sectional view of parts of Fig. 10.
L
Figure 12, is a plan view, showing the controller, adapted to one or two horses.
Figure 13, is a cross section thereof.
Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.
The letter A designates a pair of reins such as are commonly used for driving
horses, to one of which reins is attached a loop B. in such a manner that the other
rein may be drawn through this loop, with the effect of bringing the reins close
together at that point as shown in Figs. 1 and 12. The position of the loop B is
approximately opposite to the horses tail, or intermediate of the animal and vehicle
when a single horse is used, and by its means the existing danger of having one of
the reins caught by the horse's tail in driving, is obviated, so that the animal may:
be controlled with comfort and safety. The attachment of the loop B to the proper
rein is effected by a strap or other suitable means.

page_text: The reins A are connected to the opposite ends of a handle C, and in the example
shown by means of books C¹ which are jointed to the handle to swing outwardly
from the position shown in Fig. 1, for accommodating themselves to the reins in
the movements of the handle. Each of the reins A is provided with a series of
holes A¹ for connecting it to the hooks of the rein handle and by placing one or the
other of these holes on the hooks the reins can be shortened or lengthened.
The rein handle C is mounted on a pivotal support C to oscillate in the plane
of its own axis, this support consisting in the example shown of a fixed shaft
having a circular groove C³ to receive in it a spring catch C of the handle so that
whilst the handle is free to oscillate it is firmly connected to the shaft.
On opposite sides of the centre of the rein handle C are branches or off sets C5
which project in curved lines forwardly and laterally therefrom, at suitable
distances apart from each other to admit the hand between them, so that these
branches afford a rest to the hand, in driving, and due to the curvature thereof
perform this function in a superior manner.
To the opposite ends of the rein handle C are connected the corresponding ends
of a strap D which projects rearwardly and is provided with a handle D¹ so that
this strap is auxiliary to the rein handle and may be taken hold of, when it is
desired to slacken the rein for easy driving, as, on upgrades.
The handle C and concomitant parts are supported on a rod E which is fitted
into a guide F of tubular form, to slide therein and thus permit the required
adjustment of the reins. In the sliding rod E are formed longitudinal grooves El
to engage with antifriction rollers F¹ of the rod guide, and on the rod guide is
-arranged a spring E2 to impinge against the rod by means of a toe t projecting
inwardly through a suitable opening of the guide, so that by the frictional pressure
exerted on the rod by this spring it is held stationary under normal conditions.
The rod guide F is connected to a spindle G by means of a horizontal pivot G¹ and
is supported by that means whilst it is adapted to assume a horizontal or a vertical
position or any intermediate position in the adjustment of the sliding rod as
hereinafter explained. The spindle G is fitted into a socket H. which forms an
axial bearing therefor, allowing it to turn in either direction and thus accommodate
itself to the various position of the sliding rod E in driving. On the socket H
is arranged a spring I which is similar to the spring E2 of the rod guide, it
impinging against the spindle G by means of a toe 11 which projects inwardly
through a suitable opening of the socket and exerts a frictional pressure on the
spindle, tending to hold it stationary.
In applying the apparatus to use, the socket H is attached to the dash-board J,
or any other suitable part of a vehicle, preferably in a vertical position in front of
the dash-board, and due to the pivotal connection of the rod guide, F, with the
axial spindle G the sliding rod E may then be swung to a substantially vertical
. position in front of the dash-board, as shown in Fig. 5, as, when a stop is made in
driving and in this manner the rod is brought out of the way of persons entering
or leaving the vehicle whilst it is left convenient of access to the driver for resuming
control of the horse; another effect thereof being that the rein handle is brought
to an extreme forward position and the reins are properly paid out.
The position of the rein handle C on the sliding rod E is at its rear end whilst
the point at which the rod guide F is connected to the spindle G is at the forward
end of the guide and by this arrangement the sliding rod is caused to retain its
upright position by gravity inasmuch as when the rod is brought to that position
it slides downward through the rod-guide a sufficient distance to bring the centre
of gravity below the pivotal point G³ of the guide.
In the upright position of the sliding rod E it rests on the rod guide F by means
of the handle support C2 which enters a slot F3 extending inwardly from the rear
end of the rod guide, to abut against the inner end of the slot but the handle
support may also abut directly against the rear end of the guide, the slot, when
such is used, bringing the rein handle to a point within the rear end of the guide.

page_text: When the pivotal support G' of the rod guide F is used, the rein handle C may be
mounted on the rod guide, omitting the sliding rod E and in that case the part
composing the rod guide may be solid.
On the rod guide F is an ear F' which projects in rear of the pivot G₁ and in
which is arranged a set screw K to abut against the spindle G when the sliding
rod E is brought to a position for use, so that this screw acts as a stop for regulating
the angle or position of the rod when it is at rest, as shown in Fig. 2, and thereby
regulating the position of the rein handle in relation to the floor of the vehicle.
At the point where the set screw K abuts against the spindle E the latter is
provided with a cushion K' (see Fig. 7) of india rubber or other suitable material,
which serves to deaden the vibrations of the rod guide and rod, in the motion of the
vehicle, and thus not only obviate the noise incident thereto but also obviate the
transmission of such vibrations to the hand of the driver. This purpose is further
accomplished by means of a cushion K² also of india rubber or other similar
material, forming a support for the axial spindle G this cushion being arranged
beneath the spindle in the socket H and it resting in the example shown on a nut I'
which is arranged in the socket to receive a set screw I³ acting on the friction
spring I of the spindle to adjust the tension of this spring. The set screw I³
is arranged in a longitudinal slot H' of the socket H to permit the adjustment of
the nut 1 in relation to the spindle. A brace F³ is used to reinforce the ear F
against the blows to which it is subjected when the parts are set to the position
shown in Fig. 2.
When the controller is used for more than one or two horses provision is made
for holding additional reins as follows:
On the sliding rod E is mounted a bracket N (Figs. 3 and 4) which is provided
with eyes o on opposite sides of the rod, through which eyes are drawn, in a
forward direction, the ends of straps P so that such ends, which are provided with
hooks or other similar devices, may be connected to the proper reins as shown
in Fig. 1.
Each of the straps P is provided with a handle P' whereby it may be con-
veniently taken hold of for adjusting the additional reins. In the example shown
there are two eyes on each side of the sliding rod but it is evident that the number
thereof may be varied according to the number of additional reins to be used.
The bracket N moreover may be mounted on the rod guide F when the latter
constitutes the handle carrier.
"
To each of the main reins A is connected a supplemental rein S (Fig. 12) by
hooks S¹ or other similar means, for enabling the driver to pull either of the main
reins independently of the other as when it is desired to steer abruptly in either
direction. To support the supplemental reins S, the handle C is provided with
eyes S (Fig. 13) at the opposite ends, these eyes being fastened by screw bolts S³
which are capable of rotating in the handle and thus permit the eyes to adapt
themselves to the reins. The free ends of the supplemental reins S, located in rear
of the eyes S² are provided with loops S to afford a superior hold in adjusting
the reins.
For supporting the socket H on the dash board J or other part of the vehicle means
such as shown in Fig. 9 or as shown in Fig. 10 and 11, or any other suitable means
may be employed. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the lower end of the socket is
fitted into a clamp R which is mounted on the bolster R' and spring R² of the vehicle
in the centre of such parts, and the upper end of the socket is fitted into a brace R³
on the corresponding edge of the dash-board. In the example shown in Fig. 10
and 11 the lower end of the socket is fitted into a clamp U which is pivoted on its
upper part as at U' for rendering it adjustable, and to the lower part of which is
connected a brace U2 so that the socket can be set to different angles by means
of the brace. Other means than the brace however can be used for this purpose.
The part to which the clamp U is pivoted consists of a clip on the end of a strap U³
which is fastened to the bottom of the vehicle and upon which the brace U2 in turn

page_text: is' fastened.
This contrivance possesses the advantage of being applicable to
vehicles of various constructions.
What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :-
1. The combination with a pair of reins, for driving horses, of a loop which is
attached to one such rein at a point approximately opposite the horse's tail, to
receive the other rein, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. A rein controller consisting of a handle having its opposite ends provided
with means for connecting it with the reins, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
3. A rein controller consisting of a handle having its opposite ends provided
with jointed, hooks, in combination with adjustable reins adapted to be connected
to the hooks, substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. A rein controller consisting of a handle having its opposite ends provided
with means for connecting it with the reins, in combination with a pivotal support
for the handle, substantially as and for the purpose described.
5. A rein controller having its opposite ends provided with means for connecting
it with the reins and having branches on opposite sides of its centre projecting in
curved lines forwardly and laterally therefrom, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
6. The combination of a handle having its opposite ends provided with means
for connecting it with reins and having branches on opposite sides of its centre
and a pivotal support for the handle, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
7. The combination of a handle having its opposite ends provided with means
for connecting it with reips, a pivotal support for the handle and a handle strap
connected to the opposite ends of the handle to project rearwardly therefrom,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
8. The combination of the handle carrier and the pivotal support, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
9. The combination of the handle carrier, the pivotal support for the handle
carrier, and an adjustable stop for regulating the position of the handle-carrier
when it is in use, substantially as and for the purpose described.
10. The combination of the handle-carrier, the spindle having a pivotal
connection with the handle-carrier, a set screw arranged on the handle-carrier
to abut against the spindle for regulating the position of the carrier and the
elastic cushion arranged on the spindle at the point where the set screw abuts
against it, substantially as and for the purpose described.
11. The combination of a handle-carrier, a spindle having a pivotal connection
with the handle carrier and a socket forming an axial bearing for the spindle,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
12. The combination of a handle-carrier, a spindle having a pivotal connection
with the handle-carrier, a socket forming an axial bearing for the spindle and
a friction spring arranged on the socket to act on the spindle, substantially as and;
for the purpose described.
13. The combination of a handle-carrier, a spindle having a pivotal connection
"with the handle-carrier, a socket forming an axial bearing for the spindle, and an
elastic cushion arranged beneath the spindle in the socket.
14. The combination of a handle-carrier a spindle having a pivotal connection
with the handle-carrier, a socket forming an axial bearing for the spindle slotted
longitudinally, an elastic cushion arranged beneath the spindle in the socket, a nut
supporting the elastic cushion, a friction spring arranged on the socket to act on
the spindle and a set screw arranged in the slot of the socket to act on the friction
spring and engage the nut, substantially as and for the purpose described.
15. The combination of a sliding rod forming the handle-carrier, a guide for
the sliding rod and a friction spring arranged on the rod guide to act on the
rod, substantially as and for the purpose described.

page_text: 16. The combination of a sliding rod forming the handle-carrier, a guide for
the sliding rod, and a pivotal support for the rod guide arranged to permit it
together with the rod to assume a horizontal or an upright position.
17. The combination of the sliding rod forming the handle-carrier, the guide for
the same and the support for the guide, substantially as described.
18. The combination of a sliding rod forming the handle-carrier, a handle
mounted on the rear end of the carrier, a guide for the sliding rod, a spindle
having a pivotal connection with the rod guide at the forward end thereof and
a set screw arranged in a lug or projection of the rod guide to abut against the
spindle substantially as and for the purpose described.
19. The combination with a handle-carrier, of the bracket having an eye or eyes
on opposite sides thereof and a handle strap or straps having the end drawn
forwardly through the eye or eyes of the bracket and provided with means for
connecting such straps with reins, substantially as and for the purpose described.
20. The combination with the sliding rod forming a handle carrier, of the
bracket on such rod having an eye or eyes and the handle strap or straps
in the eye or eyes of the bracket, substantially as and for the purpose described.
21. The combination of the rein handle, the handle carrier, a pivotal support
for the handle on the carrier, the bracket having an eye or eyes, and the handle
strap or straps in the eye or eyes of the bracket, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
22. The combination with the rein handle, the handle carrier, and with reins
connected to the handle, of the supplemental reins connected to the main reins,
and the eyes of the handle supporting the supplemental reios, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
23. The combination with the rein handle the handle-carrier and with reins
connected to the handle, of the supplemental reins connected to the main reins,
the eyes of the handle supporting the supplemental reins, and the rotating screw
bolts for securing the eyes, substantially as and for the purpose described.
24. The combination of a handle-carrier, a spindle supporting the carrier and
a socket forming an axial bearing for the spindle, of the socket clamp adapted to
be pivoted to a vehicle and a means for adjusting the clamp, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
25. The combination of a handle-carrier, a spindle supporting the carrier and
a socket forming an axial bearing for the spindle, of the socket clamp adapted to
be pivoted to a vehicle, and the brace connected to the clamp for adjusting it,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
26. The combination of the pivotal handle the handle-carrier having a backward
and forward movement, the support for said handle-carrier, and means for
connecting the reins, substantially as described.
T: 004
Cammil 1004