An Improved Saddle Gauge or Measuring Appliance for Horses and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 31st Oct., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Saddle Gauge or Measuring Appliance for Horses and
the like.
I, JOSEPH WILLIAM RICHARDS, of 5 De Lunn Buildings, Jewry Street,
Winchester, in the County of Hants, Saddle and Harness Maker, 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 :-
This invention for an improved saddle gauge or measuring appliance for horses
and the like has for its object to provide an improved means for measuring the
backs of horses in order that saddles may readily be made of the exact size and
form required, and consists essentially of a frame adapted to be placed on the
horse's back, somewhat similar in shape to the inside of a saddle, and divided at
the centre, the two halves being connected together by means of hinges provided
with clamping screws, so that it may be opened or closed and clamped in any
desired position. The inside of the said frame is provided with flat steel springs
adapted to be pressed inwards by set screws so as to be adjusted to the contour of
the animal's back.
The accompanying drawing is a perspective view of a saddle gauge or measuring
appliance constructed according to this invention.
The frame a which is somewhat similar in shape to the inside of a saddle is
divided through the centre as shown, and connected together by hinges c, one arm
of each being secured to each half of the frame a. The hinges are each provided
with clamping screws d which press against sliding tongues e so that the two halves
of the frame a can be opened or closed and clamped in any desired position. On
the inside of the frame a flat spring plates ff are attached, one end g of each
being firmly secured to the said frame while the other end is free to slide thereon,
to a limited extent, by means of the slot h and pin i.
The plates ffare adjusted by means of thumb screws k passing through the
frame a.
In the operation of measuring for a saddle the frame a is placed across the back
of the animal, and on the clamping screws d being loosened the two halves are
opened or closed until the frame fits firmly thereon when it is clamped in the
required position, the screws k being then operated until the spring plates ƒ ƒ'
are properly adjusted to the exact contour of the animal's back. The saddle
can then be readily made to the exact form and dimensions thus obtained.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. An improved saddle gauge or measuring appliance for horses and the like,
comprising a divided frame provided with hinges and adapted to be opened and
closed and secured in any desired position, substantially as described.
2. A hinged and divided frame adapted to be opened and closed and secured in
any position and provided with spring plates adjustable by means of set screws
substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 3. The combination of parts constituting my improved saddle gauge or measuring
appliance for horses and the like, the whole arranged, and constructed substantially
as described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 30th day of September 1896.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.