IMPROVEMENTS IN KNAPSACKS POR MILITARY AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Spiller, of No. 15, Upper Southwick Street,
in the County of Middlesex, a Lieutenant-Colonel in Her Majesty's
Royal Artillery, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNAPSACKS POR
MILITARY AND OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 31st May 1859, and dated the 2nd December 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Spiller at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd
December 1858.
I, GEORGE SPILLER, of No. 15, Upper Southwick Street, in the County of
Middlesex, a Lieutenant-Colonel in Her Majesty's Royal Artillery, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNAPSACKS
FOR MILITARY AND OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
The objects of this Invention are to distribute the weight of the knapsack
and its contents more evenly,-to prevent undue prèssure on the blood vessels
of the arms of the wearer,-more ease in wearing with even more than
ordinary weight, and the simplicity of fastening and adjusting the same;
these objects being effected in the following manner:-On the under part, and
near the centre, between front and back of the knapsack, are placed two
moveable supporters, formed of metal or other suitable material, the same
working upon joints at their inner ends, their outer ends being provided with
hooks, which take into eyes at the ends of the slings. The slings proposed to
be used are formed of two distinct straps, one extremity fastening the mouth
or flap of the knapsack, the other hooking on to the ends of the supporters.
By these means the knapsack can be raised or lowered as required by the
wearer without in any way confining the arms. A pocket is also placed at

page_text: the back of the knapsack, opening with a flap at bottom for the purpose of
taking in the great coat. Another smaller pocket is also placed on the inner
side of the knapsack, to enclose either a pair of socks, a towel, or other small
article required for sudden use, at the same time rendering it unnecessary to
open the whole of the "kit," and acting as a pad against the wearer's back.
It is proposed that for greater ease and convenience in wearing, the knap-
sack may be made in an oblong form, and placed on the back of the wearer
upright, thereby occupying less space in width. Should, by chance, any
accident happen to either of the supporters, the sling eyes can then be fastened
to the hooks now in use on the lower part of the knapsack.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Spiller in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd June 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
SPILLER, of No. 15, Upper Southwick Street, in the County of Middlesex, a
Lieutenant-Colonel in Her Majesty's Royal Artillery, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said George Spiller, Her special licence that I, the said George
Spiller, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said George Spiller, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
KNAPSACKS FOR MILITARY AND OTHER PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said George Spiller, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, 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 George Spiller, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be

page_text: as shewn. In order to prevent the large flap bulging out, which has a
tendency to make the knapsack hang away from the back of the wearer, and
thereby increase the weight, I affix straps and buckles g, g, near the upper
corner, which draw the flap down and keep it flat against the back of the
wearer.
The parts before described I intend to apply to the knapsacks at present in
use or to similar ones; but the knapsacks I propose using will be found more
convenient, as being made of an oblong form, and placed upon the back of the
wearer vertically, the weight is more evenly diffused over the entire back, and
occupies less space in width, thereby preventing any oscillating motion. The
same supporters are to be used with all knapsacks, and the ordinary hooks are
to be retained, as should any accident happen to either of the supporters, the
hooks will again be available.
Having now fully described and set forth the nature and object of my said
Invention of "Improvements in Knapsacks for Military and other Purposes,"
together with the best means I am acquainted with for carrying the same
into practical effect, I would remark, in conclusion, that I do not confine or
restrict myself to the precise details herein described, as slight modifications
may be made therein without in any way departing from the principle of my
Invention; but what I claim as my Invention intended to be secured to me
by the herein in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
Firstly, the supporters a, a.
Secondly, the receptacle e, e.
Thirdly, the straps and buckles g, g.
And, lastly, the parts before mentioned, either together or separately, for
the purposes herein described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Spiller, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
GEORGE SPILLER. (L.s.)
Witness,
ALEX. PRINCE, Patent Agent,
4, Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross.