Improvements in Saddle-trees.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 28th Sept., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by THOMAS WALSH, of Orange, in the Colony of New
South Wales, Saddler.]
Improvements in Saddle-trees.
I HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of the Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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 :—
The saddle-tree of common use is a compound construction, built up partly of
iron and partly of wood, rivetted together, and is somewhat costly, as it entails a
great expenditure of time and labour."
My improved saddle-tree is simple and homogeneous in construction, and easily
and cheaply made.
The tree is composed of a thin sheet of steel or iron, from which is stamped a
blank of the shape required. At the same time that the shape is stamped, holes may
be punched (or they may be afterwards drilled), mostly near the edge of the blank,
through which the covering may be attached to the tree in any convenient manner.
Into the holes, eyelets of any suitable material may be inserted, for the purpose of
guarding the attaching media of the overlay or covering from the effects of rust,
and from the wearing or grinding effect that might be produced by the rough edges
of the perforations.
"
On that portion of the blank which is destined to form the seat of the saddle, and
near the part known as the "Twist or "Shank," two cup-like depressions are
These
stamped, one depression being on each side of the central axis of the blank.
depressions are subsequently filled up with india-rubber, gutta percha, padding, or
any other suitable elastic substance, so as to render the seat comfortable and elastic
for the rider.
The blank thus made having been pressed, beaten, or moulded into the arched form,
in any manner found most suitable and convenient, is then galvanised, nickelled,
plated, or treated by any suitable process that will prevent the metal of which the
tree is composed from oxydising or becoming rusty. The stirrup bar, which is usually
rivetted or screwed to the saddle tree is, in my improved saddle tree, stamped with,
and forms parts of the blank.
A stamped metal underlay may be placed beneath the seat of the saddle, so as to
form a good bearing for the seat upon the back of the horse.
The metal underlay may be so constructed as to fit below the seat only of the saddle,
or may be so extended as to cover the whole of the underneath of the saddle tree.
The underlay may be stamped out only in one piece, then moulded to the form of the
saddle tree, and afterwards rivetted or screwed to the saddle tree, or, if preferred, it
may be constructed in two pieces running longitudinally of the saddle, so as to leave
a space or gap in the centre, along which air can pass to ventilate the backbone ridge
of the horse. The underlay is moulded with two depressions, which (when the
underlay is extended so as to cover the whole of the underneath of the upper blank)
will extend right along, so as to afford a firm bearing upon the back of the horse.
Holes are pierced in the underlay blank for the purpose of securing it to the upper
blank of the saddle tree, the holes being so disposed as to secure the underlay to the
upper blank in the best and firmest manner.
If the underlay be in one piece, the crupper loop may be stamped in the blank,
but if it be in two pieces, it will be necessary to have the crupper loop afterwards
rivetted on.
The underlay should be secured to the upper blank after the latter has
been covered with hoeskin or leather.

page_text: Fig. 1 is a plan of the plank directly it is stamped out, and with the cup-like
depressions formed in the seat.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the same after it has been placed on the die and moulded to
the proper form. In this view, the underlay is secured beneath the seat of the
saddle tree.
Fig. 3 is a side view of Fig. 2, but with the underlay removed from beneath the
seat, and placed apart for convenience of reference.
Fig. 4 is a plan of the moulded underlay blank, shewing that part destined to be
fixed beneath the seat of the tree, drawn in hard lines, but with the forward part
dotted in, to shew how the underlay blank may be extended for the purpose of
strengthening the upper blank, to which it is afterwards to be rivetted or
screwed.
A is the seat; B is the twist or shank; C the head or pommel; D D₁ the points;
EE the stirrup bars, which, in my improved saddle-tree, form one with the blank;
F F are the cup-like depressions which are afterwards filled with any suitable elastic
substance, to render the seat comfortable and springy for the rider.
a, a, a, a³, are the holes to receive the staples; b, b₁, are the holes to receive the
plated nails; c, c, in the head or pommel, are rivet or screw holes used in the con-
struction of the saddle; d are rivet holes for the crupper staple, when the underlay
is not used; e, e, round the edge of the seat, are screw or rivet holes used in
construction; ff are the holes used for screwing or securing on the after part of
the flap of the saddle; the staple holes a a¹ being used to secure the forward end of
the saddle flap.
That portion of Fig. 4 shewn by hard lines, indicates that part which may be used
under the seat merely as a bearing on the horse's back, while the portion shewn by
dotted lines shews how the underlay may be extended to serve as a strengthener to
the fore part of the saddle tree.
In order to supply proper ventilation to the horse's back, the underlay may be
attached to the upper blank in two pieces, with a space between, forming a channel
through which the air can freely circulate.
Those of the perforations and holes in the saddle-tree needing such an addition, are
furnished with eyelets, so that the rough edges of the perforations will be hidden
beneath the eyelets, and the risks incidental to friction and rust thus
reduced to a minimum. The attachment of the overlay and covering
of the saddle to the saddle-tree, will thus be rendered more permanent, and
the necessity for continual repairs be obviated. The improved saddle-tree thus
prepared will then be ready for the saddler's use. When the underlay is not
used (should it be considered that the fore part of the saddle-tree is not sufficiently
stiff and rigid,) a stiffening strap or underplate descending to the points may
be rivetted on to this part of the tree. The stirrup bars may also be strengthened
and stiffened in the same way, and, if desired, a closing piece and spring inserted, as
is the case with the stirrup bar in common use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that I do not claim constructing a. saddle
tree of metal, whether cast or stamped, that having been known and patented as
early as the year 1825, but I declare that what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters
Patent, is :-
1. In stamped metal saddle trees, forming the stirrup bar solid with the body of
the saddle tree and in the same piece, as described and as illustrated in the drawing.
2. The cup-like depressions F, FI, as described, as illustrated in the drawing, and
for the purposes herein set forth.
3. The metal underlay, whether placed only beneath the seat, or extended so as to
cover the whole of the underneath of the upper blank of the saddle-tree, and whether

page_text: attached to the upper blank in one or in several pieces or not, as specified, and
illustrated in the drawing; and for the purposes herein set forth.
4. The combination of a stamped metal saddle tree, such as that described, with
a stamped metal underlay, as specified, and shewn in the drawing, and for the purposes
heroin set forth.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.