An Improved Horse Bit.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Aug., 1894-Accepted, 10th Nov., 1894
COMI LEIE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Horse Bit.
I, PETER SPOHR, of 30, Garten Strasse, Giessen, in the Grand-Duchy of
Hesse-Darmstadt, German Empire, Colonel out of Duty 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 consisting in a joint-horse-bit relates to improvements in horse
hits, and has for its object, first, to prevent the curb-chain from exerting undue
and injurious influences upon the jaw of the horse, and, second, to prevent the
bit proper from being held fast by the mouth of the horse. I attain said objects
by arranging a joint between the head-gear and the side-arms of the horse-bit ;
and by attaching the curb-chain to said joint, as will be hereinafter more fully
described.
Referring to the accompanying drawing, ce¹ e² (Fig. 2) designates the joint-
holders, which are movably connected with the side-arms b (Fig. 1) by means of
their ears . The ears 61 of the side-arms are provided with projections b
preventing the horse-bit from swinging forward too far.
The joint-holders may be connected with the side-arms either inseparably,
as in the mode of execution shown in Figs. 1 & 2, or separably, as shown in
the modification Figs. 3-6. In either case the joint-holders consist each of the
bridle-ear C, the neck c, and the hook, or car respectively, c³, Fig. 2; the neck
receives the movable locking ring d, which by its projection d' carries the curb-chain
hook e.
Concerning the locking-ring d embracing the neck c', the same may be of equal
breadth throughout all its portions (Fig. 1) or may be provided with recesses d²,
Figs. 5 & 6. If the connection between the joint-holder and the horse-bit is to
be a separable one, I employ the locking-rings shown in Figs. 5 & 6, in combination
with open hooks for holding the bit. These hooks are closed, or locked respectively,
when the locking-ring d d is turned by 90°; they remain unlocked as long as the
recessed portion of the locking ring is situated over the point of the hook. The bit
may then be removed and again replaced in a quick and convenient manner.
hook is automatically closed by the locking-ring, when the curb-chain f is hung
into the hook e.
The
Said removable joint-holders may be employed on both sides of the head-gear;
according to the situation of the opening of the hooks c², the curb-chain may be hung
in either from the inner side, or from the outer one.
By means of the above described arrangement, it becomes possible to render
the tension of the curb-chain independent of the movements of the side-arms,
in so far said chain is prevented from being displaced upwards, as well as
from being pressed against the jaw with its upper rim by the bridle. There
can be effected by the bridle but a horizontal tension of the curb-chain in forward
direction.
The friction arising between the side-arms of the bit and the joint-holders is
reduced to the least possible degree, and is made perfectly independent of the cheek
pieces of the head-gear. By means of the projections 62 at the top of the side-arms,
there is prevented any undue turning of the bit to the front, as is often times caused
by the horses vehemently shaking their heads; also catching of the side-arms with
the teeth is rendered nearly impossible.
The said advantages may be attained with inseparable joint holders as well as
with separable ones; the latter, however, afford the further advantage, that the hit.

page_text: may be removed from the bridle after loosening of the curb-chain without any
alteration of the head-gear, even if the latter has been put on to the horse. That
removal is necessary, when the horses are to be fed and watered. Hercafter
the bridle is put on by placing the bit into the mouth of the horse, and
introducing the ears of the side-arms by hand into the open hooks of the joint-
holders, whereafter the curb-chain is hung into the hooks of the joints. The
latter are turned thereby so as to lock the hooks by means of the upper rings, as
afore described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a joint-horse-bit, the combination with the side-arms of the bit-rod, of
joints adapted to connect said arms with the head-gear, said joints holding the
curb-chain by means of movable rings and hooks, substantially and for the purpose
as described.
2. In a joint horse-bit, the combination with the side-arms of the bit-rod, of
joints having a fixed open hook and a movable locking-ring adapted to close said
hook, said rings having movable hooks adapted to hold the curb-chain, said joints
connecting the side-arms of the bit-rod with the head-gear, substantially and for
the purpose as described.
3. In a joint horse-bit, the combination with the side-arms of the bit-rod, of
joints adapted to connect said arms with the head-gear, said side-arms having
projections 6 adapted to prevent turning of the bit, substantially and for the purpose
as described.
Dated this 18th dow of A nonet 1901
F. BOSSHARDT & Co.,
4, Corporation Street, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.