IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SADDLES
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Henry Birkbeck, of the Firm of Tongue
and Birkbeck. of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agents and Engineers, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SADDLES." A communication
from abroad by Mr. Louis Friese. of Stuttgard, in the Kingdom of
Wurtemburg.
Sealed the 21st February 1862, and dated the 7th September 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Henry Birkbeck
7:4,
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents. with his Petition, on
the 7th September 1861.
GEORGE HENRY BIRKBECK, of the Firm of Tongue & Birkbeck, of
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane. in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agents and Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SADDLES," to be as follows:―
This Invention. consists in so constructing. the frames or bodies of saddles
asto render them more elastic and pliable than heretofore, thus affording a
more comfortable and convenient seat to the rider, and causing less discomfort
to the horse or other animal, the arrangement and, construction of the parts
also rendering it more secure, and less liable to shift its position when tightened
n the back of the horse or other animal. The frame or body of the saddle

page_text: is composed of a number of plates and other forms of iron, steel. or other
metal, jointed or connected together to give strength and solidity to the saddle;
the articulation of the several divisions of the frame so joined together giving
freedom of action to all parts of the saddle when in use. thus causing a uniform
distribution of, the load at each movement or change in the position of the
rider. The front and back portions of each side of the frame of the saddle are
formed by plates of metal of suitable shape, connected together lengthwise by
plates of steel hinged or jointed thereto in such manner as to act as junction
springs, and thus give free action to all the parts when combined. The
opposite side plates are connected together at the back and front by curved or
bent pieces of iron or other metal of bow or bridge shape, which are attached
to the plates by suitable joints, which admit of movement between the parts so
connected, thus yielding and giving a certain degree of independent elasticity
thereto. The front or back of the saddle can be raised or lowered as desired
by the adding to or changing of these bow or bridge shaped pieces of iron,
which can be made of any desired form. The bridge-shaped pieces of metal
are the means of supporting the upper surface or seat of the saddle, and the
frame thus put together is covered with leather and other furniture to finish
the same, as is well understood, producing a firm and durable combination of
all the parts. Saddles of this improved construction, being free to bend in the
direction of their length, readily adjust themselves to suit and fit the backs of
different horses or animals, their elastic character preventing any undue
pressure in one part more than another.
The improvements are also equally applicable to the "English," "Hun-
garian," ladies," or to ordinary saddles, and will be of great service for the
use of cavalry by reducing the fatigue both of the horse and rider.
The arrangement of the girths is such as to prevent the buckles or other
fastenings rubbing against or chafing the sides of the horse or other animal,
suitable padding being interposed for this purpose between the girths and the
skin of the animal.
For the purpose of adjusting the saddle, it may be desirable to state that
its peculiar construction, as before described, admits of the girth or under belly
band being tightened to any desired extent without injury to the animal,
chafing being impossible, owing to the saddle being composed of two parts
connected together, at the same time acting independently of each other, and
by reason of the lower or under part of the saddle being jointed, it is better
adapted to fit the shape of the animal, and thereby less liable to change its
position when properly secured. The arrangement of the several parts of
the saddle causes the pressure of the weight or movement of the rider to be

page_text: received by the upper and elastic portion thereof, which thus prevents any
movement or disturbance of that part of the saddle which is secured to the
animal by the girths and belly band.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Henry Birkbeck in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 4th March 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, 1., GEORGE
HENRY BIRKBECK, of the Firm of Tongue & Birkbeck, of 34, Southampton
Buildings, Chancery Lane. in the County of Middlesex., Patent Agents and
Engineers, send greeting.
. WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said George Henry Birkbeck. Her special licence that I, the said George
Henry Birkbeck, my executors. administrators. and assigns. or such others
as I, the said George Henry Birkbeck, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others. from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SADDLES," a communi
cation to me from abroad by Mr. Louis Friese, of Stuttgard, in the Kingdom
of Wurtemburg, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said George
Henry Birkbeck, my executors or administrators. by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Scal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that 1, the said George Henry Birkbeck. do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say: -
This Invention consists in so constructing the frames or bodies of saddles as
to render them more elastic and pliable than heretofore, thus affording more

page_text: comfortable and convenient seat to the rider, and causing less discomfort to
the horse or other animal. The frame or body of the saddle is composed of a
number of plates and other forms of iron, steel, or other metal, jointed or con-
nected together to give strength and solidity to the saddle; the articulation
of the several divisions of the frame so joined together giving freedom of action
to all parts of the saddle when in use, thus causing a uniform distribution of
the load at each movement or change in the position of the rider. The front
and back portions of each side of the frame of the saddle are formed by plates
of metal of suitable shape, connected together lengthwise by plates of steel
hinged or jointed thereto in such manner as to act as junction springs, and
thus give free action to all the parts when combined. The opposite side plates
are connected together at the back and front by curved or bent pieces of iron
or other metal of bow or bridge shape, which are attached to the plates by
suitable joints, which admit of movement between the parts so connected, thus
yielding and giving a certain degree of independent elasticity thereto. The
front or back of the saddle can be raised or lowered as desired by the adding
to or changing of these bow or bridge shaped pieces of iron. which can be
made of any desired form. The bridge-shaped pieces of metal are the means
of supporting the upper surface or seat of the saddle, and the frame thus put
together is covered with leather and other furniture to finish the same, as is
well understood, producing a firm and durable combination of all the parts.
Saddles of this improved construction, being free to bend in the direction of
their length, readily adjust themselves to suit and fit the backs of different.
horses or animals, their elastic character preventing any undue pressure in one
part more than another.
Ilunga-
The improvements are also equally applicable to the "English,"
rian, ladies," or to ordinary saddles, and will be of great service for the use
of cavalry by reducing the fatigue both of the horse and rider.
The arrangement of the girths is such as to prevent the buckles or other
fastenings rubbing against or chafing the sides of the horse or other animal,
suitable padding being interposed for this purpose: the adjustment and tight-
ening of the same being also greatly simplified.
For the purpose of adjusting the saddle, it may be desirable to state that
its peculiar construction. as before described, admits of the girth or under
belly band being tightened to any desired extent without injury to the animal,
chaling being impossible, owing to the saddle being composed of two parts
connected together, at the same time acting independently of each other, and
by reason of the lower or under part of the saddle being jointed, it is better
adapted to fit the shape of the animal, and thereby less liable to change its

page_text: position when properly secured. The arrangement of the several parts of the
saddle causes the pressure of the weight or movement of the rider to be
received by the upper and elastic portion thereof, which thus prevents any
movement or disturbance of that part of the saddle which is secured to the
animal by the girths and belly band.
And in order that the Invention may be most fully understood I will
proceed to describe the Drawing hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure A represents the improved elastic saddle complete: in this Figure,
A shows the improved mode of securing the girth arranged to prevent any
rubbing of the buckles against the sides of the horse, at the same time giving
greater firmness and security to the saddle. Figure 1 represents the details
of the construction. together with the metallic parts detached. and their
supports between them, and also the necessary furniture of leather; Figure 2
shows the arrangement for connecting the different parts of the saddle with
the upper surface or seat attached thereto. The number of moveable joints
and independent joints composing the frame of the saddle is clearly shown by
to 4.
Figures and 2. and of each side of the saddle by numbers 1
A. Figures 1 and 2. shews the outline of the front, and B that of the crunner
for the English saddle, or of the "zwiesel" for the Hungarian saddle. The
two metal parts, A. B. (the one in front and the other behind) are jointed to
the points 1 and 4 in a moveable and elastic manner by means of bands or
plates of steel and iron or other metal. as shown at D and E. at the front and
back of the saddle. so that an independent degree of elasticity is obtained at
the four extreme points thus connected. The perfect vielding or articulated
action of the parts composing the frame of the saddle is produced by the
jointing of the steel plates fitted to the other parts, so that they act as joint
or junction springs. These parts are connected at 2 and 3 with the bands or
plates D and E. in the manner of a hinge or similar joint, by pins, pivots, or
other suitable form of universal joint, so arranged in connection with the metal
plates C. D, E, that the saddle becomes elastic and moveable over its entire
tength. The parts permit of a free and independent movement to the
necessary degree upon the several points between the separate parts, at the
same time possessing firmness and durability. and the pressure being brought
to bear upon every part of the saddle. and partaking of the combined move-
ment of the horse and of the rider. is immediately balanced and distributed
through the parts, thus a degree of suppleness or elasticity is obtained without
damaging the stability or solidity of the saddle,

page_text: G, G', shows the form or shape of the metal parts for a ladies' saddle, th
frame of which is arranged and constructed in a similar manner to that pre
viously described to give strength and elasticity thereto. The part G, G', i
fixed instead of the bent piece A to the cushion D which supports it; H, F
are the upper coverings of leather to fix the girth to, and I, I, are the leather
upon the side, which are double lined with felt on their under surface, which
felt is placed there for the purpose of keeping the leather from the perspira
tion of the animal. Each side of this improved saddle being furnished with
four distinct and independent movements or joints, the surface which rests or
the animal is capable of accommodating itself thereto at eight different points
at every change of position occasioned by the movement of the horse or rider
so that the pressure is always uniformly distributed and balanced.
Another feature which arises out of this construction, and forms one of its
characteristic qualities, is, that it does not require to be adjusted to every
separate animal it may be used for the arrangement and elasticity of the
various joints rendering it suitable for every back, whatsoever its form may be,
without causing painful pressure. The upper surface or seat can be readily
raised or lowered as desired, either in the middle or at the front and back, by
varying the shape of the irons A, B, at the front or back of the saddle, which
will give any greater or less elevation it may be desired to obtain.
The separate parts of saddles constructed as before described may be readily
repaired or other substituted therefor, if required. In tightening the girths
of saddles of this construction no indentations or marks are caused by undue
pressure in the sides of the animal. To this advantage is also added greater
simplicity and steadiness than in ordinary saddles. thus allowing the baggage
or knapsack to be more easily and conveniently placed. To the foregoing
advantages may be added the facility of carriage, owing to their reduced size
and convenient shape.
In witness whereof. I. the said George Henry Birkbeck, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fourth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
G. H. BIRKBECK. (L.S.)