An Improved Rein-holding Device.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 13th July, 1894-Accepted, 18th Aug., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Rein-holding Device.
I BENNETT SEYMOUR, of Ovenden, Halifax, Yorkshire, Civil Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved rein-holding device, and consists of two
metal or other jaws, serrated or otherwise on their inner or opposing faces, and
normally maintained close together by means of a suitable interposed spring.
The two jaws, which may be connected at their base ends or not, as desirable, are
fixed to, or formed integral with, a malleable metal plate, designed to fit upon and
be attached to any suitable part of a carriage or other similar vehicle.
By forcing the jaws apart, the reins can be passed between same, or released
from their grip.
Dated this 24th day of April 1894.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
12, Basinghall Street, London, Agents for the Applicant.
An Improved Rein-holding Device.
I BENNETT SEYMOUR, of Ovenden, Halifax, Yorks, Civil Engineer, 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 :-
My invention relates to an improved rein-holding device, and has for its object
to provide means for securely gripping the reins and preventing them being pulled
to the ground or under the horses' feet, when it is desirable or necessary for the
driver to release such reins from his hands.
'
And in order that the said invention may be the more readily understood, I have
shewn same upon the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings, wherein :
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device closed as when gripping the reins ;
Fig. 2 being a plan.
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of a slightly modified form of the device, and
Fig. 4 is a plan of a hansom-cab with the rein-holding device shewn in operation
thereon.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several figures I have there shewn the device consisting of
two metal or other jaws a, a', placed one upon the other, and maintained in that
position by means of a pin b adapted to allow a slight vertical movement of the
jaw a, the said upper jaw a having its rear portion bent (or otherwise fashioned) to
a vertical position for a part of its length, and straightened out to the horizontal
again, as shewn.
A spiral or other suitable spring c is interposed between the raised part of the
upper jaw a and the rear portion of the lower jaw a', by which means the forward
or gripping parts of the two jaws are normally maintained firmly together, so that
anything that is placed between the gripping ends of such jaws, will be gripped and
held securely by them.

page_text: In order to render the device more certain in its action, I may recess or fashion
of concave form the opposing surface of one of the jaws (the lower one a' in this
case) and fashion the corresponding surface of the other jaw, of convex form,
by which means the gripping or holding power of the device will be increased
(Fig. 3).
.
The device is fixed, by means of screws or their equivalent, to a metal or other
base-plate d, provided with holes d' through which, screws or the like are driven to
attach the device to the roof e of a hansom-cab, the side of a cart, waggon, or to
any other suitable part of a vehicle of any description drawn by a horse or horses,
or other draught animals.
The device is preferably fixed to a vehicle with the jaws a, a' at a right-angle to
the reins f, which are placed between such jaws, by depressing the raised end of
the jaw a which raises the forward or gripping end of same, and then drawing
said reins laterally over the forward end of the lower jaw a¹. The depressed rear
end of the upper jaw a is then released, whereupon the spring c returns such jaw to
its first or normal position and maintains it in such.
In lieu of the pin 6 I may hinge the two jaws a, a¹ together in any suitable
manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
The improved rein-holding device, consisting of an upper and a lower portion
hinged together and provided with a spring interposed between the raised rear
end of the upper portion or jaw and the rear end of the lower portion or jaw, the
opposing surface of the forward or gripping end of one jaw being concave and the
corresponding surface of the other jaw, convex, or both surfaces may be smooth,
or serrated, said lower jaw being fixed to a base-plate, capable of fixture to a vehicle,
substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 13th day of July 1894.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
12, Basinghall Street, London, Agents for the Applicant.