AN IMPROVED MECHANICAL HORSE
Year: 1885

page_text: SAMUEL HENRY ORAM, 20 Vincent Terrace, Islington, London, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
"AN IMPROVED MECHANICAL HORSE" to be as follows:-
The said horse is constructed in the following manner viz
A box is made and screwed together which forms the body, four shaped legs are
cut out including the hips and shoulders, these are then screwed to the inner sides
of box at the two extremities opposite each other, holes having been previously
bored through each of the hips of hind quarters in a partly longitudinal and
horizontal direction, and horizontal only in the shoulders of the fore legs, they
having balance weights on shoulders. To give the motive power to the limbs, my
invention consists of steel bars, working up and down these holes in as free and
unfettered condition as possible, one end of two steel bars are securely fastened to
a small strip of leather (calf) or any strong pliable material, leaving a small space
between the said steel bars for one end of connecting rod (the other end being
furnished with an eye) to pass through, and secured with a small nut to middle of
leather, as well as leaving enough leather on each side of rod to play or act as
hinges to the said steel bars. This works a fore leg and hind leg on one side of
horse, and exactly the same being required for the other side-The bottom of box
forming the stomach has two apertures, on each side of centre, to allow of the two
connecting rods passing through, also two small apertures under where each of the
fore legs drop, and two apertures at the far end of rear, so as to allow of the hind
limbs working on inner side of box. Screwed to centre of stomach an iron bearing
decends having a small iron tube attached at the end which a short axle passes
through. Riveted to each end of said axle, is an iron wheel running exactly
parallel with each other. On one (spoke of each wheel (and each have four) is
fastened 1 stud for eyes of connecting rods to work upon. These studs work in
exactly opposite directions, so that while one is going up, the other is coming
down or vice versa, which answers the purpose of a crank. The horse having but
these two wheels to take its weight it must necessarily be supported, in an upright
position, by the shafts of some vehicle, when on the animal being pulled along, its
own weight on the two aforesaid wheels, will give motive power to the limbs.
The head is curved in the ordinary manner but the lower extremity of neck is
rounded for rocking, a balance weight having been let in back of neck. The top of
De

page_text: The other
box which forms the back of horse (and where the neck is situated) has two holes
bored through, on each side of neck and half a small bell spring, one end of which
is passed through, on each side, and fastened to inside of horses back.
end being fastened to the bottom and centre of rocking neck for the purpose of
keeping it in its place, and helping to give motive power. The jolting of the
conveyance &c (when pulled) causes the head to move occasionally, thereby
producing the motive power to that limb. The box is then shaped as near as the
thickness of wood will reasonably allow. The two ends of horse being filled in with
carved pieces, and the vacancy around neck to be covered in by wash leather or
any pliable material.

page_text: I, SAMUEL HENRY ORAM, 20 Vincent Terrace, Islington, London, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanic, 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:—
I provide pieces of shaped wood according to the size of horse, to be made, and
comprising the sides, top, bottom & ends, the bottom piece having openings
provided to allow of connecting rods passing through, and other openings to allow
the legs of horse to work in. These are screwed together, and form a hollow body
for the horse. The fore & hind legs are shaped, and are provided in the hips and
shoulders respectively with a channel or hole bored partly through the limb at a
suitable angle. The legs are fastened to the inner side, of the sides of the animal,
by means of a screw in a suitable position. To the bottom of body, I fix a flanged
iron bearing to carry the animal, this is taken down to, and fixed to, an iron tube,
through which the axle of the wheels is carried, the wheels being rivetted to this
axle (or one wheel can be used for the purpose). On each wheel I fix to one of
the spokes a stud, from these studs I carry two connecting rods, the ends passing
to, and fixed to, two pieces of leather or other material, each connecting two steel
bars, the leather being of sufficient length to give the play necessary for the
movement desired. These steel rods pass into, and move in the channels provided
in each leg of the animal. The whole weight of the horse or animal rests on the
wheels, and which when moved (the studs acting as a crank) gives motive power
by means of connecting rods and steel bars to the limbs. The head of the horse is
a seperate piece rounded at the lower extremity, and supported by two steel springs
and weighted-So that my Invention may be more readily understood, as and for
the purposes herein described, I will now describe the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a representation of a horse complete.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the inside of one of the sides, of the horse, shewing the
connecting rod at its highest point.
Fig. 3. is the same with the connecting rod at its lower point.
Fig. 4. the chest of the horse.
Fig. 5. the rump.
Fig. 6. is a plan of the under side, or belly.
Fig. 7. is a plan of the top, or back.
Fig. 8. a view of the wheels and bearing, for body of horse.
Fig. 9. shews the head detached from body.
In Figs. 2 & 3. A. shews the sides of the horse, B & C shewing the fore and
hind legs respectively hung by screws at b & c respectively, b¹ & c¹ being the
channels or holes bored in the limbs, 6 being a weight to balance the fore legs.
D shews the connecting rod jointed at d with the leather piece d. which is con-
nected at d with the steel rods E. e. is the point of connecting rod through which
the stud e¹ is passed.

page_text: In Figs. 4. 5. 6. & 7. the openings shewn at 63 & c³ are made to allow of the
action neccessary for the fore and hind legs.
In Fig. 6. the openings shewn at d³ are for the connecting rods to move through.
In Fig. 8. F is the iron flanged bearing which is fixed to the iron tube f. through
which runs the axle g. to which is rivetted the wheels at g¹-e¹ are the studs to
which the connecting rod is attached.
In Fig. 9. H is the head of horse weighted at h. and provided with springs h¹
which are fixed on top, or back piece of animal at h² Fig. 7. The Mechanical
Horse herein described may be made small enough for use as a toy, or life size for
riding purposes.
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
1st The arrangement and combination of parts forming a Mechanical Horse, as
and for the purposes described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
2ndly The method of working the limbs of a Mechanical Horse, by means of bars
moving freely in a channel or hole made in such limbs, and of connecting such
bars, with a connecting rod by means of leather or other pliable material.
3rdly The method of affixing the head to the body by means of a spring or
springs.