IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARNESS SADDLES FOR FACILITATING THE RELEASE OFAL
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Craddock, of No 11 Polygon Clarendon Square
in the County of Middlesex for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF HARNESS SADDLES FOR FACILITATING THE RELEASE OF
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Craddock at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th January 1883.
GEORGE CRADDOCK of No 11 Polygon Clarendon Square in the County of
Middlesex IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARNESS SADDLES FOR
FACILITATING THE RELEASE OF FALLEN HORSES FROM THEIR HARNESS
The invention consists of an improved saddle of which the following is a
description Upon the top and across the centre of the saddle tree is fixed a metal
trough one side of which slightly rises towards the centre where is fixed a metal
screw socket Under this trough is a metal plate drilled to receive a disconnecting
Screw pin.
Fitted to the trough are two jointed metal loops with bent plates, drilled at the
end which take the place of the back band that in cases where ordinary harness
is used passes through the saddle and also another metal loop drilled at the end
which connects the crupper with the saddle
When all these loops are placed in position by inserting them in the trough the
holes meet over each other under the socket and above the hole drilled in the metal
plate.
These loops are then connected with the saddle by means of a metal screw pin
(with a bow or head) which passes through the socket, trough, loops, and metal
plate, and fasten's all together.
By simply unscrewing this screw pin the tugs and crupper are immediately freed
and disconnected from the saddle and the result is the horse is released and
enabled to rise without the danger difficulty and loss of time experienced in cases
where ordinary harness is used.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Craddock in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
12th July 1883.
GEORGE CRADDOCK of Number 11 Polygon Clarendon Square in the County of
Middlesex IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARNESS SADDLES FOR
FACILITATING THE RELEASE OF FALLEN HORSES FROM THEIR HARNESS
My invention consists of an improved Harness saddle which enables the anddle
to be quickly and easily disconnected from the other parts of the Harness and the
animal thus becomes immediately freed from the greater part of its Harness.
The following is a description
The saddletree is identical with the saddletree in common use with the exception
that the sides are made somewhat thicker so as to enable my invention to be
affixed thereto
On the top of and across the middle of the saddletree is affixed an arched metal
trough open at both ends extending across the saddletree from one side to the
other firmly secured at both ends to the saddletree and being about six inches
long by one and a half inches broad by one third of an inch deep. The bottom of
one half of the trough on one side is slightly raised towards the middle so as to
make one of the loops hereinafter mentioned overlap the other when fitted in the
trough.
Above and across the middle of the trough is fixed a metal screw socket. The
top of the trough is covered by metal plates affixed so as to enclose the trough but
leaving the ends open.
In the middle at the bottom of the trough and directly opposite to the screw
socket is a hole drilled to receive the disconnecting screw pin hereinafter
mentioned.
Detached from the apparatus are two metal loops jointed with bent metal plates
the latter fitted to the trough so as to run freely. These loops take the place of
the backband which in cases where ordinary harness is used passes through the
saddle. Each of the bent plates is in length rather more than half the entire
length of the trough so as when lying in the trough to project slightly beyond the
hole in the screw socket on either side. Each of these plates is drilled with a hole
to receive the disconnecting screw pin hereinafter mentioned the hole being
drilled at the end of the plate furthest from the loop so as to coincide with the
hole in the screw socket.
Also detached from the apparatus is another metal loop with a straight motal
plate which passes freely through an aperture cut in the centre of the back of the
saddle tree passing also beneath the trough and above the metal plate hereinafter
mentioned. This loop is in the place of the loop at the back of the saddle which
in cases where ordinary harness is used is rivetted to and connects the saddle with
the crupper.
Beneath and across the trough and forming part of it are two raised slides or
runners parallel to each other and forming a groove in which the said straight
plate lies when fitted to the apparatus. The said straight plate is drilled with a
hole to receive the disconnecting screw pin hereinafter mentioned the hole being
drilled near the end of the plate furthest from the loop so as to coincide with the
hole in the screw socket.
Under the trough is a metal plate affixed, to and under the saddletree. This
plato is drilled with a hole to receive the disconnecting screw pin hereinafter
mentioned. The hole in the plate being in such a position as also to coincide with
the hole in the screw socket.
When the whole apparatus is put together the two first mentioned loops are

page_text: placed in position by inserting the bent plates in the trough. One of the plates
then overlaps the other so that the holes drilled in the plates meet exactly one over
the other and come immediately under the screw socket as well as over the hole in
the bottom of the trough and also over the hole in the metal loop connecting the
crupper (which loop is placed at right angles to the two first mentioned loops) and
also over the hole in the plate under the trough..
The whole apparatus is held in position by a disconnecting metal screw pin
hereinafter described which connects the above mentioned three loops to the saddle
and fastens alltogether by passing downwards through the screw socket and
through the five other holes when placed in position as hereinbefore mentioned.
The disconnecting screw pin is made of metal with a head or bow and with a
screw worm near the head to fit the screw socket above the trough the rest of the
pin being plain and sized to fit the, holes through which it has to pass as above
described.
By unscrewing the screw pin the three loops are at once liberated and become
detached or detachable from the saddle thus disconnecting immediately the tugs
and crupper from the saddle and freeing the animal from the greater part of its
Harness.
T
GEO CRADDOCK (L.S.)
Signed sealed and delivered by the
above named George Craddock
in the presence of
EDWARD B GEE
JAMES WALKER J*
Clerks to Montagu Scott & Baker
Solicitors
10 Grays Inn Sq
London WC