Improvements in Saddles.
Year: 1891

page_text: United States of America),
Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 2nd Sept., 1891
Complete Specification Left. 2nd Sept., 1891-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Saddles.
I, DE WITT HEERMANCE, of Rhinebeck, New York, United States of America,
Lawyer 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 saddles in which springs are used to lessen the jolt and
increase the case and comfort of the rider's seat.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved saddle, and Fig. 2 is a top plan
view of the same.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the views.
The drawings show the ordinary wooden frame or tree A' of a saddle, which,
in this instance, is shown as a side saddle, and is therefore provided with leg-
horns and stirrup attachment D. The open part of the lower tree is crossed in
two or three places by metal slats a', which make a foundation for some of the
springs which are desirable in a side-saddle, and also serve to brace the tree at
those points. The saddle is to be padded and cushioned in the usual way to fit
the back of the horse.
The upper tree or scat B' of the saddle is constructed as follows: A steel-spring
wire rod E is shaped to correspond with the back and sides of the lower wooden
tree A', is about two inches above it, and runs up on either side to the pommel of
the lower tree A. This wire is held in shape by brass cross-bands, which
clasp the rod E on either side, and these bands are crossed at right angles by a
similar band, preferably of brass, running the length of the seat and in the centre
of it. Between the seat so formed and the saddle tree A¹ are cone-shaped
springs C, two inches high. These springs are secured by metal staples c and
rivets c¹ to the tree A¹, and by c¹ to the bands 1, which, together with the rod E,
form the seat of the saddle. This seat is free to move upon the springs wherever
the weight of the rider brings the pressure.
Stirrups may be fastened to the lower tree by loop D in the customary manner,
for it is necessary that they should be firm and unyielding under the pressure of
the foot, thus preventing the rider after he rises in the stirrups from meeting the
rebound of the springs as he regains his seat.
I am aware that coil or spiral springs have heretofore been used in saddles,
but wherever they have heretofore been inserted they have been used as a cushion
attachment, or if with an upper tree the springs work upon or in connection with
pins or studs, or else the seat is fastened to the pommel of the tree, as shown
in the saddle of Tolbert, patented August 14, 1883, No. 283,043; in that of
Quintero, patented March 8, 1887, No. 359,176, and that of Bennett, patented
December 28, 1886, No. 355,123. In a man's saddle, especially, the weight of the
rider is constantly being thrown against the pommel, and it is evident that any
fastening of the seat to the lower tree at the pommel must prevent the easy and
proper working of the saddle.

page_text: My saddle is both simple in its construction and very durable, the upper tree
or seat being firmly fastened to the lower tree simply by the springs, which readily
yield wherever the pressure comes upon the seat.
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:-
The lower saddle-tree A', provided with cross-bands a', in combination with
coiled springs C, fastened to A, and with an upper tree or seat B', attached to
the upper ends of the springs C and consisting of the rod E and the cross-bands b'd
all as and for the purpose described.
DE WITT HEERMANCE.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.