Improvements in Horse Collars.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Dec., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 7th Sept., 1893-Accepted 7th Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Horse Collars.
I, FREDERICK HUGHES, of 31, Goswell Road, Middlesex, Saddler and Harness
Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to air cushioned horse collars and in carrying out the
invention I prefer to make the outside or cover, known as the after-wale and fore-
wale, of metal, preferably steel, which may be indented so as to form a neck for
the passage of the hames, and in this to place a lining of cork preferably ground or
cut up fine and contained in a canvas or other bag or bags. Upon the cork lining
I place an air bag adapted to contain air at atmospheric or higher pressure and
preferably provided with a suitable valve for charging and deflating.. The rubber
bag is preferably covered with soft leather, cloth or the like, the whole being
suitably shaped to accommodate the horse's neck. The leather or lining may be
shaped before it is applied to the collar so as to give the proper contour when the
bag is inflated and both bags and cover may, for convenience, be made either
wholly or partially detachable so as to allow of ready access. It will be understood
that more than one air bag may be employed and may if desired be divided into
various cells.
The outer metal cover may be rolled as a single piece and adapted to be joined
at the top either permanently or detachably as required, and may have adjustable
fastenings to form an open topped collar and by the shape imparted to it I am
able to carry the inner lining, as well as the air and cork bags or paddings, to the
very front instead of as at present only part of the way. By this arrangement
many advantages accrue, amongst which may be mentioned a saving of weight, a
saving of cost in construction and a pad more adaptable to the horse's shoulders.
Instead of using hames I may place the requisite rings bands or other fittings
usually carried by the hames upon the collar itself, either fixed or adjustable so as
to adjust the draughts at different parts of the collar.
The air cushion may be dispensed with if desired and the outer plate or cover.
may be doubled, thickened, or otherwise strengthened wherever required.
Dated this 14th day of December 1892
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Horse Collars.
1, FREDERICK HUGHES of 31, Goswell Road Middlesex, Saddler 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 relates to air cushioned horse collars and consists in making the
outside or cover, known as the after-wale and fore-wale of metal, preferably steel
Instead of
and indented to form a neck or recess for the passage of the hames.
using hames I may place the requisite rings, bands, or other fittings usually carried
by the hames upon the collar itself, either fixed or adjustable so as to adjust the
draughts of different parts of the collar. In this case the collar would be provided
at each side with a strip or band of metal, fixed to or formed integrally with the
collar and provided with two or more holes or perforations which are screw

page_text: threaded so that the rings to which the traces are attached may be conveniently
adjusted.
Inside the steel collar, and fitting the configuration thereof, I place a lining of
cork, preferably ground or cut up fine, and contained in a canvas or other bag or
bags, and on the inner side of this cork lining I fix, by means of a soft leather
or other suitable cloth, an india-rubber air bag provided with a suitable valve for
charging and deflating purposes, the whole being suitably shaped to accommodate
the horse's neck. The said leather lining may be shaped before it is applied to the
collar so as to give the proper contour when the bag is inflated, and both the bag
and cover may, for convenience, be made either wholly or partially detachable so
as to allow of ready access. More than one air bag may be employed which may be
also divided into various cells.
The metal cover may be rolled as a single piece and joined at the top either
permanently or detachably as required and have adjustable fastenings to form an
opened topped collar, and by the shape imparted to it, the inner lining, as well as
the air and cork bags or paddings, may be carried to the very front instead of part
of the way only, as at present.
And in order more clearly to understand my said invention, I will describe the
same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the metal cover forming the said collar and Fig. 2 is
a side view thereof.
Fig. 3 is a half cross section with its paddings and linings, and Fig. 3ª, is a
similar view with the outer cover enamelled.
Figs. 4 & 5 are views showing the joint of an open topped collar.
C
a represents the metal cover indented at a¹ to form a neck or recess for the
passage of the hames, or instead of the usual hames I may fix the rings, bands or
other fixings carried thereby to the metal cover or frame a as shown at b. A lining
of ground cork c is contained in a canvas bag or bags, this cork lining is stitched or
otherwise secured to a canvas lining d stitched or laced to the inside of the metal
cover. Upon the said cork lining is placed an air bag or bags ƒ covered by a soft
leather or other cloth g stitched to a canvas strip d' or fixed thereto by means of
buttons, or hooks and eyes for the ready removal of the same.
The leather lining g
may be shaped before it is applied so as to give the proper contour when the bag is
inflated. The cover or frame a may be rolled as a single piece and joined at the
top either permanently as shown at Fig. 1, or it may have adjustable fastenings
such as h consisting of a tongue which is passed through a narrow longitudinal slit
in a strap or band fixed to the opposite side of the collar and which, when the collar
is in the desired position is given a half turn in order to prevent it being accidentally
withdrawn, or by any other means such as a buckle &c. (Figs. 4 & 5). An air valve i
is fixed in any suitable position for inflating or deflating the air-bag or cushion f.
The outer surface of the cover or frame a may be enamelled or otherwise finished,
in which case the padding is arranged as shown in Fig. 3ª or it may have attached to
its outer surface a cover or layer of patent leather or other suitable material k
stitched to the metal cover and to the canvas strip d', which is also stitched or laced
through the holes e to the outside of the said cover, to give a finished appearance to
the collar in which case the hames would be placed over the said cover in the
ordinary manner.
In some cases the air cushion f may be dispensed with in which case the cork
lining is constructed so as to form and fill up the padding to the required shape.
By means of my invention a saving of weight is secured and the cost of
construction is lessened; a pad is also produced which is more adaptable to the
shape of the horse's shoulders.
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.
1. The improved horse collar constructed of a metal cover or frame a indented

page_text: or formed with a neck or recess a¹ substantially as described and for the purpose
set forth.
2. In horse collars the combination of the above claimed metal cover or frame a,
the cork lining c and the air cushion or bag f substantially as described and
shown.
3. The improved horse collar substantially as described and for the purpose
set forth.
Dated this 29th day of August 1893
F. G. CASSELL,
Of Cassell & Co.,
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London,
Agent for the Applicant.