Improvements relating to Harness.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Sept., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 31st May, 1895-Accepted, 27th July, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Harness.
I, JAMES CORP of 149, Gower Street, London, W.C. Joiner, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a device by which the traces of the harness can be
instantly released by the driver should the horses fall or for any other cause.
On the front of the splinter bar of the vehicle is fitted a spindle or shaft,
carried in suitable bearings, which allow it to turn. This spindle is formed with
an arm at the centre which can be turned over the splinter bar and retained by
means of a suitable catch, preventing the spindle turning and holding it in one
position.
Near each end of the spindle is fixed a pin to which the traces are attached, the
end link of the chain being passed over the pin or the chain lapped round it. To
fasten these traces after attaching them to the said pins, the spindle is turned
by means of the arm and held by the catch above mentioned, the pins being
then turned against the splinter bar, effectually preventing the traces becoming
disconnected.
The catch consists of a lever arm having a wedge shaped head, which when the
arm of the spindle is turned over, is moved back allowing the said arm to pass and
engage with it.
A small spring can be used to hold the catch in proper position.
The catch is released by means of a cord or chain held in a convenient position at
the side of the driver, so that the driver may pull it in case of accident, instantly
disconnecting the bearings, the spindle turning and allowing the traces to slip off
the pins on a slight pull.
Dated this 7th day of September 1894
Improvements relating to Harness.
I, JAMES CORP of 1 Gower Place (late of 149 Gower Street) London W.C. in
the County of Middlesex, Joiner, 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 reference to improvements relating to harness, & has for its
object to provide a device whereby the traces of the harness can be instantly
released by the driver should the horses fall or for any other cause.
In order to make my invention clearly understood I have annexed a sheet of
drawings in which :-
Fig. 1. represents a plan of the central bearing.

page_text: Fig. 5. a side view of the catch or lever.
Fig. 6. shews a view of the spindle or shaft and
Fig. 7. a general view of my invention attached to the splinter bar of a
vehicle.
In carrying my invention into practice I provide on the front of the splinter
bar S a spindle or shaft B carried in suitable bearings D in which it may turn
casily.
Said spindle or shaft B. is formed with an arm C at the centre which can be
turned over the bar S & retained by means of a suitable catch or lever A thus
preventing the spindle or shaft B from turning; & holding it in one position.
Near each end of the spindle or shaft B I provide a pin or lug E to which the
chain or links at back end of traces may be attached, the end link of chain being
To fasten
passed over pin (as indicated by dotted links) or passed around same.
these traces after attaching them to said pins E, the spindle or shaft B is turned
by means of the arm C & held by the catch A aforementioned the pins being
turned against the splinter bar S effectually preventing the traces from becoming
disconnected.
I may provide a separate link or connecting hook attached to the pin to which
the back end of traces may be connected thus obviating the necessity of turning
the spindle or shaft B each time the horse or horses are harnessed.
The catch A consists of a lever arm F having a wedge shaped head G which
when the arm of the spindle or shaft is turned over & moved back allows said
&
pass engage with it.
A small spring may be provided to hold the
arm to
catch A in position.
The catch may be released by means of a cord or chain attached to the lever
arın at H the other end being held in a convenient position at the side of the driver so
that he may pull it in case of accident. The spindle or shaft B then being free to
rotate, would turn & instantly allow the chain or link at back end of trace to slip
off the pins or lugs E.
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. A device for releasing the traces of harness consisting of a spindle or shaft B
provided with a retaining arm C & connecting pins E & mounted on the splinter
bar S (or shafts) in suitable bearings & capable of turning easily therein
substantially as herein before described.
2. A device consisting of the spindle or shaft, provided with a retaining arm &
pins or lugs aforesaid & adapted to engage said arm with a suitable catch A by
which it may be released when desired, substantially as described & ascertained &
for the purpose herein before described & illustrated.
3. A device for releasing traces of single or double harness constructed &
arranged to act substantially in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore
described.
Dated this 29th day of May 1895.
C. W. HIGGS,
57, Cheapside, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.