Improvements in or appertaining to Devices for Enabling a Person to Carry Heavy and Cumbrous Articles, such for instance as a Piano and Pianist, a Horse and Rider.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 12th May, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or appertaining to Devices for Enabling a Person
to Carry Heavy and Cumbrous Articles, such for instance as a
Piano and Pianist, a Horse and Rider.
I, GEORGE MULHALL, otherwise "Testo" of Circus, Chorley in the County of
Lancaster, Athlete and Gymnast, 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 :-
It is
This invention has for its object an apparatus whereby a man can carry a very
heavy weight on his back with greater ease than in any other manner.
especially applicable for carrying pianos and other instruments and for acrobatic
feats, such as carrying off a horse and his rider, a pianist while playing at the
piano, etcetera.
The invention is best described by aid of the accompanying drawings, in
which,
Figure 1 is a front view of the apparatus of the stand on which it rests;
Figure 2 is a side view of same;
Figure 3, a plan ;
Figure 4 a front view of the apparatus, and
Figure 5 is a section of the stand or hod as actually constructed by me.
In these,
A is a platform or board. B a stout backing firmly fixed thereto by means of
the iron bars C C and bolts and rivets D D; upon this the heavy weight to be
carried rests. The apparatus rests on a stand E of a suitable height. F is a back-
board to steady the piano or other broad article, G, two straps firmly fixed to the
back board below as shown. H a breast band connecting these, these also have
buckles I wherewith their length can be exactly regulated. J is a cushion or pad
at the back to exactly fit the same to the shape of the human back; L is a band
passing round the back board B and the article to be carried, if it be a piano or
the like, and the man's forehead. M a strong wooden or metallic yoke well padded
and made to exactly fit the man's shoulders, and N, handle strap. If the apparatus
be used for such purposes, such as for instance to carry off a pianist while playing
at the piano, the bottom board A is lengthened somewhat.
The mode of action in such case is as follows-
The apparatus is already fixed up pretty much as shown, the board being
lengthened as set forth in dotted lines (Figure 2) and the pianist sitting thereon
engaged in playing, the athlete comes in quietly, slips into the straps, places the
head band in position, straightens his legs, and quietly walks off with the performer
and his instrument to the astonishment of his audience.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and the best mode known to me of carrying it into effect, I wish it to be
understood that I do not bind myself to the exact shape of the apparatus, as it
will require to be altered to suit each kind of article to be carried, but I declare
that what I claim as my invention is―
1. The combination of an angle hod A and B for carrying the article, a yoke M
and the straps substantially as described.
2. The combination of the angle hod A B, the padding J, the yoke M and
means for grasping the device such as the straps LHG or N, or a combination of
them.

page_text: 3. The apparatus for carrying heavy weights taken as a whole substantially as
herein described.
Dated this 6th day of April 1894.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.