Improvements in Air Pads for Horse Collars.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in Air Pads for Horse Collars.
"
I HERBERT WALTER LOADS of Calvert Street Norwich Shoe Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object to produce an air pad without seam or aperture
and of a stronger and more perfect construction than those hitherto in use.
To effect this I make a suitable mould corresponding in shape with the pad to be
produced I then mould the rubber cloth therein to the required shape and inflate the
same with a blow pipe in the ordinary way thus forming an air pad I then cover the
pad with two three or more extra coverings of rubber cloth and with an outer
covering of vulcanite. Air pads so made combine great strength with. lightness and
durability and are easily repaired when injured with india rubber solution or other
like compound.
By my invention I dispense with all necessity for covering the pad with an outer
casing of leather or other material thus economising both labor and cost of
manufacture.
ELT & Co.,
33, Southampton Buildings, Holborn,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Air Pads for Horse Collars.
I, HERBERT WALTER LOADS of Calvert Street Norwich Shoe Manufacturer 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 has for its object to produce an air pad for a horse collar without
seam or aperture, which is vulcanised and requires no valve to inflate the same and
which is of a stronger and more perfect construction than those hitherto in use.
To carry out my invention I make an iron mould in the shape of a horse collar so
as to correspond in shape with the pad to bo produced. This mould is made in two
halves. I then take four pieces of india rubber compound or composition cut to a
suitable shape and lay two of such pieces or sections in the bottom half of the mould
so as to form a lining thereto. I then damp a small piece of cotton linen or other
suitable material and lay the same thereon, after which I lay the other two pieces or
sections of rubber compound or composition on the top. In placing the rubber
sections in the mould I take care to lay their inner and outer edges on the flanges
formed round the edges of the mould so that they project a little beyond such flanges.
I then join the edges of the rubber sections with india rubber solution leaving a
small aperture at one end through which to inflate the pad with a blow pipe in the
ordinary manner; and when so inflated I fill up such aperture with solution leaving
the piece of damp cotton linen or other material inside the pad. I then fit on the
other half of the mould and screw up and fasten the two halves together by means
of bolts and nuts or other suitable equivalents so as to hold the same securely together
and tightly compress the inner and outer edges of the rubber sections between the
flanges formed round the edges of the mould. Or such mould may be placed in a
suitable framework which is screwed up by means of bolts and nuts so as to keep
the mould firmly fixed. In order to ensure the top half of the mould fitting
accurately over the bottom half thereof, two, three or more shoulders or projections are
formed round the outer edge of one half. These shoulders or projections take into
corresponding recesses formed in the other half for their reception and so ensure the
two halves of the mould fitting truly together. I then place such mould in a steam
chamber technically termed a steam cure and subject the same together with the pad
contained therein to the action of steam at a pressure of about 35 lbs. to the square
inch for a period varying from 2 to 3 hours so as to thoroughly evaporate the spirit
from the india rubber compound or composition and strengthen solidify and vulcanise
it thus preventing it melting or running in warm temperatures and also preserving it
from decomposition. During this operation of steaming the water absorbed by the
damp cotton linen or other material placed between the two layers of the pad in the
manner hereinbefore described is converted into steam which serves to expand such
halves to the form of the mould and keep them so expanded until they are permanently
set to such shape I then take the mould out of the steam chamber and allow it to cool

page_text: and when cold I unscrew it and take out the pad-I then trim off the flat projecting
edges of the pad which have been compressed between the flanges of the mould so
as to reduce them to an even surface. The pad is then complete and fit for use for
a horse collar.
Air pads so made are perfectly air proof and will resist both heat and perspiration
and stand a pressure equal to about ten tons.
I particularly wish to state that what I regard as the novel feature of my invention
is producing an india rubber air pad suitable for a horse collar free from seam or
aperture and which does not require to be inflated by a valve or to be covered with
leather or other material in order to render it fit for use.
My invention possesses numerous advantages amongst which are the following; vizt.
1° The pad being vulcanised is much more durable and not so heating to the horses
shoulders as those hitherto used.
2° It can be produced cheaper than those made from rubber cloth as by using
rubber in proportions varying from 5 to 95 per cent. according to requirements the
pad can be made to stand any climate which is not the case with the pads at present
in use.
3° By simply fastening one of such air pads in a metal frame a horse collar is
complete thus greatly economising the cost of manufacture.
4° Horse collars so made are far more comfortable and convenient than those hitherto
in use.
5° They are likewise far more durable as by simply fitting a new pad in the
metal frame (which can be done at a nominal expense) the collar is rendered equal
to new.
6° A collar so made can be easily kept clean as by rubbing it with a dry cloth it at
once becomes perfectly dry and clean.
7° Being made without seam and vulcanised the air pad is much more durable than
the pads hitherto used.
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
Making an india rubber air pad suitable for a horse collar without seam or aperture
therein and vulcanising the same all substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein before described
Dated this 7th day of January 1889.
ELT & Co.,
33, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London,
Agents for the Applicant.