Improvements in the Saddles used for Vehicle Horses.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Oct., 1895-Accepted, 2nd Nov., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Saddles used for Vehicle Horses.
I, HENRY HALL JACKSON of Burke Street, Beaufort, Colony of Victoria,
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 object of my invention is to provide a more convenient and serviceable
saddle which will automatically fit itself without alteration or adjustment to draft
horses of a different size or shape. Hitherto the devices so far used have either
been crude or cumbrous or else of such a structure and conformation that they
But
have proved neither comfortable to the horses nor convenient to their owners.
with my improved saddle these grave objections are removed.
My invention consists in the use of a metal framework which though lightly
constructed is of such a shape that it will safely withstand all the strains that
saddle trees or saddles are ordinarily subjected to. It may be manufactured of any
suitable metal or metals or the same in combination and has on its top either the
ordinary rein rings or else a pair of open ended spirally twisted reiu holders either
the first or the latter of which may be either integral with the framework or
attached thereto. In the middle of the top of the framework is an elongated hole
into which the crupper strap (when used) may be placed. Whilst at the bottom
of each side of the framework is a loop or shackle to which the tug strap may be
attached. This loop or shackle may either be integral with the framework or
attached to it in any well known way. The framework is supported on the back
of the horse by two selfadjusting pivotted pads or take weights one on each
side of the framework the said pads or take weights being placed underneath
the bottom inside edge of the framework and resting upon the horses back.
These pads or take weights may be made of wood, metal or any other materials or
the same in combination and are pivotted or hinged to the framework in such
a way that they automatically adjust themselves to their seat without causing any
possible local irritation to the horse. They may be lined on their bearing face
with any suitable flexible material or materials and may be varied in position by
means of a series of pivot pin holes drilled in the framework. Or there may be
placed between them and the hinge or pivotting bracket a packing piece of elastic
or non elastic material. Though the pads or take weights are shewn in the
accompanying drawings as almost rectangular in shape yet I do not bind myself to
this particular conformation since both the shape and area also will depend entirely
upon the conditions.
But in order that my invention may be better understood I will now refer to the
accompanying sheet of drawings which are to be taken as part of this Specification
and read therewith.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar or corresponding parts where they
occur in the several views.
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the saddle looking at it from the head
of the horse. The dotted lines shewing the position which the self adjusting
pivotted or hinged pads or take weights may assume under extreme circumstances.
The range of adjustment is thus clearly shewn.
Figure 2 represents a plan of one side of the framework shewing 'the' straps.
which are connected to the loop or shackle at each end of the framework.

page_text: •
On reference to Figure 1 it will be seen that A is the framework of the saddle
and B the rein holders. These latter are open ended and twisted in the form of a
spiral and into or from them the reins can be replaced or removed almost
instantaneously. The hole C is for the attachment of the crupper strap
which latter, if not used dispenses of course with the necessity of the said
hole.
As will be evident from the drawings the self adjusting pivotted or hinged pads
or take weights D have secured to them in any well known way the elbows or
brackets E.
These brackets E may either consist of two elbows as shewn or they may
be all in one piece. When a hinge is used a portion of it may either be made
integral with the framework or it may be attached in any well known way. The
position of the pads or take weights on the framework may be varied if necessary
by placing the pivot pins F in either the higher or lower holes G though under
most circumstances I find that this additional means of adjustment by the series
of holes G is but unfrequently required. The loop or shackle H which is
rectangular triangular or any other well known shape may simply support the
strap J which upholds the vehicle shafts or there may be connected to the sides
of the loop or shackle one or two straps which lead to the strappings upon the
front or back of the horse.
The belly band strap I may be secured in any well known way to the pads or
take weights D or they may be placed as shewn between the bracket and the pad
or take weight and locked there by the means which are employed for securing
the said bracket E to the pad or take weight.
Under some conditions the rein holders B instead of being integral with the
framework A may simply be attached to it in any well known way. They may
also either be open ended and spirally twisted as shewn or consist of the ordinary
round rings that are now generally used.
I do not bind myself to the particular conformation of framework shewn in the
drawings since it may be varied to suit the different conditions required by the
horses which draw spring carts, drays, or any other description of vehicle. And
neither do I always require a crupper strap hole in the framework for with some
horses my saddle so readily adjusts itself that no crupper strap is required.
By more recent experiments I find that the tug straps may with equal con-
venience and safety be attached to the hinged or pivotted brackets, to the pads or
take weights themselves or to the belly band strap.
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 I
claim is :-
1st. In the saddles used for vehicle horses a metallic framework as A, at the top
of which and integral with it or independent of the same are open ended spirally
twisted or plain rein holders, and also a crupper strap hole substantially as and
for the purposes herein before described and illustrated.
2nd. In the saddles used for vehicle horses, a metallic framework as A, at the
top of which and integral therewith or independent of it are open ended spirally
twisted or plain rein holders and at the ends of the framework and integral with
or independent of the same the rectangular or triangular loops or shackles as H
substantially as herein described and illustrated.
3rd. In the saddles used for vehicle horses, the self adjusting pivotted or hinged
pads or take weights as D substantially as herein described and illustrated.
4th. In the saddles used for vehicle horses; the combination of a metallic frame-
work as A, integral with or independent of which and at its top are open ended
spirally twisted or plain rein holders the rectangular or triangular loops or shackles
as H at the ends of the framework (which has or has not a crupper strap hole);
the self adjusting pivotted or hinged pads or take weights as D; and brackets E
arranged and attached substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated.
:

page_text: 5th. In the saddles used for vehicle horses the combination of the whole of the
parts set forth upon Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying sheet of drawings and
constituting my "Improvements in the saddles used for vehicle horses."
Dated this 1st day of October 1895.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97 Newgate Street, E.C., Agent for Applicant.