An Improved System and Means of Connecting Draught Animals to Vehicles and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 5th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 12th Sept., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved System and Means of Connecting Draught Animals to
Vehicles and the like.
I, THOMAS HARGREAVES BRIGG, of Bradford, Yorkshire, Engineer, do hereby
leclare the nature of the said invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved system and means of connecting draught
animals to vehicles, ground implements and the like having fore and aft axles and
wheels or other fore and aft bearings upon the ground, by which system and means
the natural forces of the connected animal or animals are caused to be preserved
and utilized to the best advantage.
The improved system consists in so connecting the animal and vehicle as that,
when the vehicle is being drawn by the animal, two component forces are caused to
co-act, the one, effected by a spring or equivalent attachment extending from the
vehicle, tending to support the forequarters of the animal, and the other, effected
through downwardly inclined traces or analogous means, tending to modify the
supporting tendency of the spring or equivalent attachment in the ratio of the pull
(which will vary according to thic varying resistance of the vehicle as affected by
the varying gradient and condition of the roadway and other concomitants) exerted
by the animal through the traces; the resultant of such forces being automatically
determined in the angle between the plane of the traces and a vertical plane rising
from the connections of the traces to the animal, whereby the animal is enabled, under
all such varying circumstances of resistance of the load, to obtain the effect and
benefit of the best attainable angle of draught for the time being, and is con-
sequently enabled to effect the work required to be done with the minimum
expenditure of energy.
this
The said springs or equivalent supporting attachments may be various in their
nature and disposition, such variations being, in most cases, determined by the
construction of the particular vehicle to which the attachments are applied. Their
purpose of utility is, as aforesaid, to support the fore-quarters of the animal;
may be effected to such a degree as may be determined by the strength and con-
struction of the forecarriage of the vehicle to which the attachments are applied, or
(in a suitably constructed vehicle) to such a degree as will relieve the animal of
supporting its forward weight beyond that necessary to enable it to effect the
tractive energy required at the time being, or to any required intermediate or lesser
degree, the energy of the animal being preserved to an extent or degree com-
mensurate with the relief thus rendered.
Such supporting attachments may consist of springs, levers, gravity attachments,
or equivalent means, but, for example, will be hereinafter referred to as spring
attachments. Such spring attachments may be composed of the shafts of the
vehicle, which may be made of flat steel suitably covered along the sides of the
animal and coiled at the ends attached to the vehicle, and may be adapted with
suitable means for, at any time, adjusting their supporting power, so that the latter
may be adjusted suitably to the weight of the animal harnessed to the vehicle, or
otherwise as required. Or, such spring attachments may be entirely separate from
the shafts, and may be adapted to operate only between certain limits, so that they
may not at any time occupy an inconvenient position; and they may be separately
or together drawn down by the driver and attached to straps extending from the
belly-band, or may be attached directly to the belly-band at each side of the animal
or directly over the back of the animal, or to any equivalent band or means of
supporting the fore-quarters of the animal.
Thus, with such means, the animal, when on level or slightly rising or falling

page_text: ground, will be more or less supported by the action of the springs operating
through the belly-band; the supporting tendency of the springs being modified in
the ratio of the varying pull exerted through the traces, so that, as the animal
enters on heavier-gradients or bad roads, or on the occurrence of any increased
resistance, the belly-band will be slackened accordingly as the force exerted
through the traces more or less overcomes the supporting tendency of the spring
attachments, so that more and more of the natural weight of the animal is allowed
to become operative according to the requirements for the time being, until (when
it is advantageous to be exerted) the whole of such natural weight (or such
natural weight plus any added weight due to the inclination of the traces) is
allowed to become operative.
The spring attachments may be so arranged as that at such time, and also when
descending inclines, if and when the utilization of its natural weight as a stopping
agent would be to its advantage, such attachments may be automatically or manually
thrown out of operation.
The traces or analogous attachments may be connected to the animal in any
usual manner, but as regards the vehicle they are connected thereto in each case
preferably at points as much below the usual points of attachment to the fore-
carriage or splinter bar as the construction of the fore-carriage or of the particular
vehicle will permit, or as low and far forward (not in advance of the centre of
gravity of the animal) as is conveniently obtainable.
Dated this 24th day of February 1891.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved System and Means of Connecting Draught Animals to
Vehicles and the like.
I, THOMAS HARGREAVES BRIGG, of Bradford, Yorkshire, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said 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 an improved system and means of connecting draught
animals to vehicles, ground implements and the like having fore and aft axles and
wheels or other fore and aft bearings upon the ground; according to which system
and means the natural forces of the connected animal or animals are caused to be
preserved and utilized.to the best advantage.
The improved system consists in so connecting the animal and vehicle as that,
when the vehicle is being drawn by the animal, two component forces are caused to
co-act; the one, effected by spring or equivalent attachments extending from the
vehicle, exerting a lifting force tending to support the forequarters of the animal ;
and the other, effected through downwardly inclined traces or analogous means,
exerting on the animal a downwardly inclined force in the ratio of the pull (which
will vary according to the varying resistance of the vehicle or load as affected by
the varying gradient and condition of the roadway and other concomitants) exerted
by the animal through the traces, such component forces so co-acting as to
automatically determine their ever varying resultant in the angle between the
inclined plane in which the traces lie and a vertical plane rising from the
connections of the traces to the animal; and so enabling the animal, under all such
varying conditions of resistance of the load, to automatically obtain the effect and
benefit of the best obtainable angle of draught for the time being, and consequently,
to effect the work required to be done with the least fatigue and expenditure of
energy.
The said spring or equivalent supporting attachments may be various in their.
nature and disposition, such variations being, in most cases, determined by the

page_text: construction of the particular vehicle or implement to which the attachments are
applied. Their purpose of utility is, as aforesaid, to exert a lifting tendency at and
so as to more or less support the forequarters of the animal, and this may be
effected to various degrees, either to such a degree as may be determined by the
strength and construction of the fore-carriage of the vehicle to which the attach-
ments are applied; or, in a suitably or sufficiently strongly constructed vehicle, to
such a degree as will relieve the animal from supporting its forward weight, beyond
that necessary to enable it to effect the tractive energy required at any time being,
or to any required intermediate or lesser degree; the animal's energy being
preserved to an extent or degree commensurate with the relief thus rendered.
Such supporting attachments may consist of springs, levers, gravity, attachments
or equivalent mechanical devices, each of which may be variously applied, but such
supporting attachments will be hereinafter more particularly referred to, and
described with reference to the accompanying drawings as spring attachments.
Several modifications of such attachments are illustrated on the accompanying
drawings and are hereinafter particularly described.
Figure 1, represents in side elevation, partly in section, a two-axled vehicle
adapted with one modification of the present improvements, and Figure 2, repre-
sents a sectional plan view thereof, the body part of the vehicle. having been
removed;
Figure 3, represents a side elevation showing the draught attachments, in
different position.
a
Figure 4, represents, in side elevation, a second modification of carrying out the
invention.
Figure 5, represents a like view of a third modification; and
Figures 6, represent, in a sectional elevation and plan view, means of manually
varying the supporting power of the spring attachments, if required.
10, represents the said spring supporting attachments, which, in the modifications
illustrated by Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5, are each represented as made..of a coiled
formation, and with a squared boss 11, at the end attached to the fore-carriage 12.
The bosses 11. are fitted on the outer squared ends 8, of rods or bars 13, and are
sectired thereon by nuts 14, the rods or bars being carried by and capable of
rotating in bearings 15, bolted as at 16, to the fore-carriage, or the springs may be
connected to the fore-carriage by other suitable adjustable means. The springs
extend forwardly for any desired length, and by adjustable. straps, chains, links or
other convenient means 17, vide Figure 3, they are permanently or, detachably
connected to the shafts 18, which are free to rotate on the rods or bars 13, being
supported by bearings 19, or in any other suitable manner.
On the squared ends 8, of the rods or bars 13, are also mounted removable, and
adjustable stays 20, which project under the front bar of the fore-carriage, and
(when the shafts are..brought down to the position represented in Figure 3, for
connection with the animal to be attached) so hold such rods or bars as to cause
them to act as fulcrums to the springs.
Or, the forward ends of the springs may be connected by adjustable straps.or the
like directly to-the-belly band at the sides of the animal; or, both springs may be
connected together and attached directly over the centre of the animal to the strap
(or straps) which constitutes (or constitute) the back.band and the belly band; or
the springs or combined spring may be directly connected to any other equivalent
band or means of supporting the animal at its forequarters.
In the modification represented in Figure 4, the like action is effected by spiral
springs 10, and continuing stays 21, the former being connected to any convenient
part of the fore-carriage, as at 22, and the latter being connected to any convenient
part 17, of the shafts.
In the modifications represented in Figures 1, to 4;-the spring attachments are
separate from the shafts excepting their connection thereto as at 17, but in the
modification represented in Figure 5, the forward continuations of the spring
attachments are made of flat steel and adapted to serve and act as the shafts of the

page_text: vehicle, being at such part turned flatwise to run alongside the animal and thickened
up with lightwood or being otherwise suitably covered.
Any of such spring attachments may be adapted with suitable means for at any
time adjusting their lifting or supporting power, so that the latter may be adjusted
suitably to the weight of the animal harnessed to the vehicle or otherwise as may
be required. For such purpose, the rods or bars 13, or other supports acting as
the fulcrums or fore-carriage connections of the spring-attachments, may be fitted
with hand-levers 23, and with ratchet-wheels 24, engaging with pawls 25, carried
by the fore-carriage, vide, Figures 6, or other convenient means may be used
permitting of the tension of the springs being increased or lessened and held at the
tension and lifting power required.
In all such modifications, traces 28, or analogous attachments may be connected
to the animal at the hame 29, or otherwise in any usual manner, but as regards
the vehicle they are connected thereto in each case as much below the usual points
of attachment to the fore-carriage or splinter-bar as the construction of the fore-
carriage or of the particular vehicle will permit.
In Figures 1, 3, and 4, are represented suitable means of effecting this low
attachment of the traces, to the vehicle, the same consisting of pendant lever
arms 30, pivotted in bearings 31, bolted to or otherwise supported by the fore-
carriage, and provided with trace hooks 32, and with chains 33, connecting them
to the fore-axle 34, but such means may consist of a fixed depending attachment 30,
bolted to the fore-carriage.
Thus, with such improved system and means of attachment of the animal to
the vehicle, the animal when on level or slightly rising or falling ground will be
more or less supported by the action of the springs operating through the belly
band or its equivalent, the supporting tendency of the springs being counteracted
in the ratio of the pull exerted by the animal through the traces, so that as the
animal enters on heavier gradients or hard roads or on the occurrence of any
increased resistance, the belly band or its equivalent will be slackened accordingly
as the force exerted by the animal through the traces more or less counteracts the
supporting tendency of the spring attachments, so that more and more of the
natural weight of the animal will be allowed to become operative according to
the requirements for the time being, until (when it is advantageous to be exerted)
the whole of such natural weight (or such natural weight plus any added weight
due to the downward inclination of the traces) is allowed to become operative.
The spring attachments may be so arranged as that they may be automatically
or manually thrown out of operation when the natural weight of the animal is
allowed to become operative, as well as at the time of descending inclines, if the
utilization of its natural weight as a stopping agent in addition to any attached
brake appliance would be to its advantage.
In Figures 1, and 2, the fore-carriage and body of the vehicle are represented
as connected by a depending tubular socket 36, rigidly secured by widely extending
arms 37, to the fore-carriage, and by a turned perch-bolt 38, depending within the
socket 36, and rigidly secured by widely extending arms 39, to the body of the
vehicle, the parts 36 and 38, being kept in connection by a screw 40, which engages
with a surrounding peripheral recess 41, in the perch-bolt, so as to allow of the
required turning movements of the fore-carriage and body of the vehicle.
In Figures 3, and 4, the fore-carriage and body of the vehicle are represented
as connected by a perch bolt and wheel plates 35, in an ordinary manner.
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. The hereinbefore described improved system of connecting draught animals
to vehicles, ground implements and the like having fore and aft axles and wheels,
or other fore and aft bearings upon the ground; the same consisting in so con-
necting the animal and vehicle as that when the vehicle is being drawn by the

page_text: animal, two component forces are caused to co-act; the one, effected by spring or
equivalent attachments extending from the vehicle, exerting a lifting force ten ling
to support the fore-quarters of the animal; and the other, effected through
downwardly inclined traces or analogous means, exerting on the animal a down-
wardly inclined force in the ratio of the pull exerted by the animal through the
traces; such component forces so co-acting as to be operative in automatically
determining and effective in giving the animal the benefit of the best obtainable
angle of draught at all times and on all conditions of road.
2. The combination, in draught attachments applicable to such vehicles and
implements as aforesaid, of spring or equivalently operating attachments extending
from the vehicle and exerting a lifting force tending to support the fore-quarters
of the animal, and downwardly inclined traces or analogous means exerting on the
animal a downwardly inclined force in the ratio of the pull exerted by the animal
through the traces, co-acting as set forth.
3. The modification of such improved draught attachments herein before described
with reference to Figures 1 to 3, of the accompanying drawings.
4. The modification of such improved draught attachments hereinbefore described
with reference to Figure 4, of the accompanying drawings.
5. The modification of such improved draught attachments hereinbefore described
with reference to Figure 5, of the accompanying drawings.
6. The modification of such improved draught attachments herein before describe.l
with reference to Figures 6, of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of July 1891.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.