IMPROVEMENTS IN HOBBY HORSES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Solicitors of Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN HOBBY HORSES."
A communication from abroad by Philip Marqua, of the City of Cincinnati,
State of Ohio, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th January 1880.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors
of Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HOBBY HORSES." A communication from abroad by Philip
Marqua, of the City of Cincinnati, State of Ohio, United States of America.
The Invention consists in the particular manner of mounting the wooden body,
whereby a motion approximating to the natural motion of a live animal is obtained.
The Invention further consists in a peculiar arrangement of parts which enables
one to make them take apart more readily for shipment. The principle of the
Invention is that the horse is pivoted by means of links to a stationary base or
pedestal that extends fore and aft between the legs of the animal, and thereby obtain
a motion that is easy and graceful, and that without movement upon the floor or
ground, and almost noiseless. The improvements are to be performed by making
the hobby horse of wood, and pivoted to the lower ends of metal links or stirrups,
whose upper ends vibrate in bearings provided in the upper part of the stationary
base or pedestal that extends upward between the legs of the horse in the direction
of its length.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 16th July 1880.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors
of Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer.
IMPROVEMENTS IN HOBBY HORSES." A communication from abroad by Philip
Marqua, of the City of Cincinnati, State of Ohio, United States of America.
"
This Invention relates to that class of hobby horses designed more particularly
for children's use, but it is equally applicable to larger horses to be used for practice
or exercise, and has for its object the production of a hobby or exercising horse free
from the objectionable features common to those now in use; these objections are
noise, wear and tear of carpets, liability to upset, and too much room taken up for
operating or packing for shipment, and to produce a motion more nearly
approximating the natural one of the horse.
The Invention consists in the manner of mounting the wooden body, whereby a
motion approximating the natural motion of the live animal is obtained.
The Invention further consists in the peculiar arrangement of parts which allows
to make them "knock down" for shipment.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved hobby horse plainly showing the
Invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the base showing the position of the links
or stirrups and bars. Upon a base or pedestal B of proper height, and constructed
so as to pass freely between the legs of the horse in the direction of its length, are
hung two inserted U-shaped links or stirrups C, C, hanging and swinging securely
in bearings at each end of the top of the base B with the open end down. These
open ends are bent outward forming hooks or supports for two bars D, D, one on
each side of the base B. These bars are so hung upon the links or stirrups C, C,
as to bring the lower ends of the links or stirrups closer together than at the top,
for the purpose of producing a swinging rocking motion similar to a
Secured to these bars D, D, and stradling the base B is the body of the horse A,
each fore leg fastened to one end of each of the bars D, D, and each hind leg to the
opposite ends of the bars D, D, thus securing the whole together, but leaving the
horse free to swing with an easy rocking motion without any fears of upsetting,
injury to floors or carpets, and without noise or racket.
" canter.'
The base B is made so as to be taken apart for convenience in packing for
shipment, or in other words what are called in the trade "knock down."
I am aware that hobby horses have been made and used with bases, and do not
wish to be understood as claiming the use of the base broadly, but the inventor
verily believes that he is the first to use the stationary base to support a hobby
horse through the medium of the links or stirrups, as shown.
CLAIMS.
1. A hobby or exercising horse pivotted to the lower ends of links or stirrups,
whose upper ends vibrate in bearings provided in the upper part of a stationary
base or pedestal that extends upward between the legs of the horse in the direction
of its length, as and for the purpose set forth and substantially as described.
2. The combination of the horse body A, base or pedestal B, stirrups or links
C, C, and bars D, D, as and for the purpose set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of July, A.D. 1880.
HI HADDAN (L.S.)