Year: 1886

page_text: I, JOHN JAMES DE ZOUCHE MARSHALL, of Lamberhurst, Hawkhurst in the
County of Kent, Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus to be employed in the execution of criminals
by hanging the objects thereof being to shorten the "drop" and ensure dislocation
of the neck.
The apparatus consists of a metal plate about eight inches in length and four in
width, bent so as to form a right angle or thereabouts. This plate is covered with
leather on the outside and with felt on the inside. At the centre or ridge of the
plate is fixed a strong metal clamp having a circular orifice rather smaller than the
rope, this clamp being formed in two parts hinged together and secured by a wing-
nut. Short steel spikes also project from the interior surface thereof. After the
noose has been passed round the neck of the culprit the plate is placed underneath
his chin where it forms a sort of stiff cravot the rope is then secured within the
clamp and kept taut by means of a slight loop or cord attached to the beam. By
the use of my apparatus the whole force of the shock is applied to the point of
the chin and dislocation is effected much more easily than when the force acts
on the side of the head or under the ear.

page_text: of Criminals by Hanging.
I JOHN JAMES DE ZOUCHE MARSHALL, of Lamberhurst, Hawkshurst, Kent, 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 apparatus to be employed in the execution of criminals
by hanging the object thereof being to shorten the "drop" and ensure dislocation
of the neck.
The apparatus consists of a metal plate about eight inches in length and four in
width, bent so as to form a right angle or thereabouts. This plate is covered with
leather on the outside and with felt on the inside. At the centre or ridge of the
plate is fixed a strong metal clamp having a circular orifice, rather smaller than
the rope, this clamp being formed in two parts hinged together and secured by
a wing-nut. Short steel spokes also project from the interior surface thereof.
After the noose has been passed round the neck of the culprit the plate is placed
underneath his chin where it forms a sort of stiff cravat, the rope is then secured
within the clamp- and kept taut by means of a slight loop or cord. attached to
the beam. By the use of my apparatus the whole force of the shock is applied
to the point of the chin and dislocation is effected much more easily than when the
force acts on the side of the head or under the ear.
"
On the accompanying drawings Fig. 1. shows the culprit with the chin trough
fixed on before the drop is let down: Fig. 2. is a view of the same when the drop
has been let down and shows how the trough acts on the neck. Fig. 3. is a view
in perspective of the trough with the clamp unscrewed ready for the insertion of
the rope. Fig. 4. is a ring fixed at the end of the rope for the purpose of forming
the noose. In figures 1 and 2. A is a piece of india rubber for keeping the trough
up to the chin before the execution takes place; and on the drop being let down
stretches out with the weight of the body.
#1
*72
J44
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is:
Improved means and apparatus to be employed in the execution of criminals by
hanging, substantially as herein shewn and described.
Dated this 30th day of October 1886.