Improvements in Saddle Bars.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 2nd Oct.,
1897
Improvements in Saddle Bars.
We, JAMES WILLIAMS, L.D.S., R.C.S.E., of Belsize House, Bradford Street,
Walsall in the County of Stafford, Dental Surgeon, and CHAPLIN LAWTON, of
82 Green Lane, Walsall, aforesaid, Saddle-bar Manufacturer, 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:
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This invention has for its object to improve the construction, and to simplify
the manufacture, of saddle bars, and relates to the springs used therewith and the
means of carrying the same.
In a saddle bar, as ordinarily constructed, the barrel or portion around which
the stirrup leather is passed is formed with a channel or groove to receive the
spring by means of which the pivoted arm is held either in its vertical position
closing in the opening through which the leather passes, or in its horizontal or
open position, as the case may be. The groove which receives the spring is formed
open along the lower side of the barrel, and the spring is formed with an enlarged
inner end and is riveted to the barrel by means of a rivet passed through both
sides of the groove and through the enlarged end of the spring. The shape of the
spring renders it less elastic than is desirable. A hole has to be drilled through
the sides of the groove, and through the inner end of the spring, to receive the
rivet, and the rivet, of course, has to be pushed through the holes and riveted up
to fix the spring. The rivet is liable to give way, as it is subject to considerable
strain, and the appearance of the underside of the barrel is unsightly.
Now, according to this invention, in lieu of forming the barrel with a groove to
receive the spring which is open along the underside, a chamber is formed into
the barrel from the outer end thereof. This chamber is closed along the underside
of the barrel, but is open at the outer end thereof and is open, of course, also at
the top of the barrel for a short distance along the outer end to receive the pivoted
end of the arm. The spring is formed of a width to fit easily between the sides
of the chamber, and is of a curved shape at its inner end with its concave upwards
so that the inner end of the curved portion bears against the upper side of the inner
end of the chamber and the lowest portion of the curve bears upon the bottom of
the chamber. The spring is not fixed to the barrel by riveting but is simply
pushed into place therein, and when the arm has been properly pivoted in place
the spring is permanently in tension or under an elastic strain, and it is thus
securely prevented from getting out of place.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, we will proceed to describe
the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a
side elevation of a saddle bar having the invention applied thereto, the barrel from
near its inner end to its outer end being shewn in section, as is also the spring
and pivoted arm. The pivoted arm is shewn in its closed position in this view.
Figure 2 is a vertical section through the bar, taken on the line a x of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a back end elevation of the bar; and Figure 4 is a corresponding view
to Figure 1, but shews the pivoted arm in its horizontal or open position.
The arm A is of the usual character and is pivoted to the barrel B in the usual
manner. a is the chamber formed in the barrel to receive the spring b. The

page_text: chamber is open only at the back end of the barrel, as shewn, and through the top
thereof at such end for the passage of the inner end of the arm A. The spring b
is formed, as shewn, with a curved hinder portion of which the end bears against
the upper side of the chamber and of which the lowest portion of the curve bears
against the bottom of the chamber. The shape of the spring is such, as shewn,
that the inner end of the arm A bears against its outer end and keeps it under
considerable tension whether the arm is in its open or closed or any intermediate
position, and thus the spring though it is simply placed within the chamber a is
always securely prevented by the arm A from working out of the chamber. As
the spring is not fixed at.its inner end by.being riveted to the barrel, it is much
more elastic than springs of the usual character employed for the purpose, and is
not therefore so liable to snap.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
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1. A saddle bar formed with a chamber to receive the spring which is open at
the back end of the barrel but is closed along the underside thereof and provided
with a spring which is adapted to be, put into position endways through the open
end of such chamber, substantially as, described.
2. A saddle bar formed with a chamber to receive the spring which is open at
the back end of the barrel but is closed along the underside thereof and provided
with a spring which is adapted to be put into position endways through the open
end of such chamber and to perform its required functions and to remain properly
in place independently of any riveting or the like, or other means of holding it
in position apart from its bearing against portions of the chamber and against
the inner end of the pivoted arm, substantially as described.
3. A saddle bar provided with a spring which is adapted to perform its required
functions and to remain properly in place independently of any riveting or the
like, or other means of holding it in position apart from its bearing against portions
of the chamber within which it is placed and against the inner end of the pivoted
arm, substantially as described.
4. A saddle bar formed with the chamber a and provided with the spring b
substantially as described and shewn by the drawings herewith.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.