IMPROVEMENTS IN BRUSHES AND CURRY COMBS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Patent Agents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRUSHES AND CURRY
COMBS." A communication-from abroad by Charles Edward Latiner. Holmes
and William Edmond Lawrence, both of New York, in the United States of
America.
Sealed the 4th December 1877, and dated the 26th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th June 1877.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Patent Agents,
of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BRUSHES AND CURRY COMBS." A communication from abroad by Charles Edward
Latimer Holmes and William Edmond Lawrence, both of New York, in the United
States of America.
The improvements consist in making brushes with a flexible back in combination
with a brushing face extending above and across the edge of the brush and a series
of brush cylinders arranged parallel to each other beneath and secured to the back.
Also in making curry combs of a frame and toothed bars extending through and
secured permanently to bearings at the back of the frame.
Also in forming the frame with slots or other equivalent receptacles for the
reception of the toothed portion of flanged or other shaped comb plates.
Also in forming the frame of slotted tubes, in which may be slided and held
toothed bars. .
The brushes may be made with a metal or vulcanite back or of other convenient
material, and the brush cylinders can be arranged on and work in small carriers
fixed to the sides.
The curry combs may be made with the various parts all of metal, and the
toothed bars in separate pieces, and placed in the frame at any distance apart, as
desired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
December 1877.
"
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Patent Agents,
of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN
BRUSHES AND CURRY COMBS." A communication from abroad by Charles Edward
Latimer Holmes and William Edmond Lawrence, both of New York, in the United
States of America.
The first part of this Invention, which relates to improvements in brushes, and
more especially in horse brushes, is shown in Figs. 1 to 8.
In Figs. 1 to 6, A is the back of the brush, which may be of any suitable
material, but consists preferably of a single sheet of metal, thick enough to retain
its shape, but thin enough to yield somewhat at the ends under the pressure of the
hand, which is passed beneath the handle a as usual. It will be apparent, however,
that the brush may be provided with a side handle or grasping handle at the back,
or both; or any other suitable arrangement of handles may be employed, as
hereafter shown.
At the under side of the back A are cross pieces b for the reception of the ends of
the twisted wire shafts.e of the brush cylinders c, each of which is bent to the
U shaped form shown and indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 3, one cylinder being
arranged within the other, and altogether forming the brushing face D.
Where the brush is rounded at both ends, as in Figs. 1 to 3, the U shaped cylinders
are duplicated as shown, and the straight cylinder c¹ is supported by brackets b¹
between the plates b, b, so as to form a cylindrical brushing face. When the brush
is rounded only at one end the plate or flange b is at the rear, Fig. 4.
The bent portions of the brush cylinders may be secured in any suitable manner,
as, for instance, by staples i driven into a wooden cross piece d attached to the back,
Fig. 4.
It is desirable, however, to secure the cylinders detachably to the back, and
for this purpose the back is provided with a slide E having hooks m, which, when
the slide is pushed inward, catch beneath the shafts e of the cylinders (as shown in
Fig. 2) and hold them in place. A hottom n on a pin projecting from the slide may
be employed to facilitate the adjustment of the latter; or a screw pin may be used
so as to secure the slide after adjustment; or a spring plate o having a lip s which
slips into an opening in the back (Fig. 2) may be used. The cylinders c are so
arranged in relation to the back plate A that the bristles will extend upward across
the edge of said plate and above the back, as shown in Fig. 1.
By bending the cylinders to U shaped form parallel to each other and one within
the other, as described, an extremely close and solid brushing face is produced, the
density of the face being increased at pleasure by bringing the shafts of the cylinder
closer together.
As the brushing face has the contour shown in the diagram, Fig. 7, a greater
penetration is insured than when the face is a uniform flat surface.
The bending of the cylinders also produces a brushing face rounded at the ends
and free from angular corners, while the projecting of the bristles across the edge
and above the back always interposes a portion of the brush between.the said edge
and the object to which the brush is applied, preventing the abrasion or wounding
of the latter. The cross cylinder c¹ not only closes the gap between the bent
cylinders, but it further covers and conceals the cross pieces b, b¹. Owing to the
elasticity of the back the latter will yield somewhat to the pressure of the hand
and permit the brush to be used with more comfort and less fatigue than where the
back is perfectly rigiu.
The detachability of the bent cylinders permits any one of them, when worn at
the under face, to be removed, reversed, and again applied, thus renewing the face
of the brush; and, when necessary, the entire face may be renewed by substituting
new cylinders for those which have been worn on both sides.

page_text: Instead of bending the cylinders to a U shape they may be bent to different
forms, as shown in the diagram, Fig. 5..
In Fig. 8 a different construction of cylinders is shown in connection with a back
and handles applicable either to brushes or curry combs. The brush consists of the
brush face D, back A, side handle B¹, and back-grasping device C, which, in the
present instance, is in the form of a wire frame extending above and across the
back A, and serving to support the handle B¹ in its position. The back. A consists
of a cast or malleable metallic plate, strengthened by edge ribs b, b¹, and cross
ribs e, e, formed, in the present instance, by striking up or bending the thin metal,
the ribs e, e, being cut, and portions bent down near each edge, forming pockets for
receiving the lower wires or rods of the frame C. These rods, thus extending partly
above and partly below the back A, serve to impart increased rigidity thereto, while
the construction adopted permits the manufacture of a finished brush at a slight
expense.
The ends of the back plate, which may be continuous or open (the openings being
for ornamentation or for the passage of dust), are bent down to form the flanges g, 9,
which, when the back is a continuous plate, enclose a recess for containing and
protecting the inner portions of the brush; and the latter, in the present instance,
consists of straight cylinders formed of bristles and twisted wires, instead of bent
cylinders first described.. Three, four, or more parallel cylinders c, c, are used, the
ends of the wire shafts having their bearings in the ends or flanges g, g, and being
covered by metallic thimbles, which prevent the wires from untwisting, and present
a finished appearance.
The brush cylinders may be placed so close together that the bristles interlock,
preventing ordinarily independent revolution, and stiffening the brush, but not
interfering with necessary adjustment when sufficient force is applied. The brush
thus constructed may be grasped by the handle B!, by the back handle or grasping
device C, or by inserting the hand beneath the latter and grasping the back a, thus
rendering the brush peculiarly serviceable for a horse brush, for which purpose it is
desired to hold it in several different ways.
The combination of several interlocking cylinders forms a ribbed brush face
having the contour shown in the diagram, Fig. 7, as in the brush first described,
permitting a greater penetration than can be attained by uniformly flat surfaces.
When the faces of the cylindrical brushes become spread or worn new faces may be
presented by turning the cylinders, the upper portions, when a back plate a is used,
having been inclosed and protected by the back and flanges g, g; and when the
entire surface is destroyed the shafts may be removed and new brush cylinders
inserted.
The metallic backs described in both modifications are not only rigid and light in
weight but impervious to moisture, and cannot shrink or split like the ordinary
wooden backs used for this class of brushes.
By setting the brush with the ribs of of the face at right angles to the handles, the
direction in which the brush is moved in operation bends the bristles round instead
of to and from the shafts parallel thereto, preventing them from being matted
together with less liability of detaching them.
.
Although the back and side handle and grasping device, as shown in Fig. 8, have
been referred to in connection with a brushing surface, it will be seen that it is
applicable to support the bars of a curry comb, but it may be modified for either.
purpose, as shown in Figs. 9 to 16, illustrating the second part of the Invention,
and in which the frame A is rectangular, although it may be circular or of any
other suitable shape.
The toothed bars (when the frame is used for supporting the latter) may be of
the usual shape, or of the ordinary trough form, with flanges projecting from the
ends, or with lateral flanges, or may be otherwise constructed, separately or in one
piece of metal.
The frame may be constructed in various ways to afford bearings for the toothed

page_text: bars. For instance, the projecting flanges may rest directly upon the end pieces k
of the frame, or upon flanges a of the latter, Fig. 9; or the said flanges or the sides
of the frame may be notched or slotted to receive the toothed flanges of the
ordinary or U shaped bars, thus securing the bars laterally in their position; or
the said bars may have their bearings upon cross bars a' extending across the frame,
forming prolongations of the flanges a, and when between the toothed bars forming
therewith a closed back.
To secure the toothed bars permanently to the frame various retaining devices
may be employed, as metal strips or flanges, constituting a part of or secured to the
frame and overlying the backs of the comb plates. It is preferred, however, to
utilize the wire frame C described in reference to Fig. 8, which connects the
handle to the comb by extending the portions c across the frame in contact with the
backs or flanges of the toothed bars, as shown, or in any other desirable manner.
If desired, a plate entirely or partially covering the back of the comb may be
inserted between the comb plates and the retaining device, making a closed back
comb when the bars are arranged with intervening spaces.
By the method described of constructing the frame and handles the manufacture
of the same is facilitated and the comb bars or brush bars or cylinders permanently
secured without the use of rivets or solder.
Although the improvements have been described in connection with a comb
having a side handle it will be apparent that they are equally applicable to combs
having one grasp over the back.
In the modifications shown in Figs. 10 to 16 the comb body A is provided
with the usual side handle B¹, which is connected to the body in any suitable
manner, the wire frame C forming a supplementary handle above the body and
connecting the latter and the side handle, as in Figs. 8 and 9.
The comb plates D, which may be flanges on separate bars or on one plate, have
end lips or flanges a, which fit within tubular end bars I, each having a slot cat
one side, into which slots the lips extend.
By bending the lips a, as shown in Fig. 13, and introducing them endwise into
the tubes I, the latter are prevented from being withdrawn laterally from the comb,
and the parts forming the body are thus rigidly secured together without any other
fastening than is necessary to prevent the lips from being drawn longitudinally
from the slots c, as, for instance, by compressing the ends of the tubes, plugging
them with solder, etc.
Additional strength may be imparted by extending wires or rods through the
tubes forming pintles e, which may be prolonged and united to the handle B,
constituting the connection between the latter and the body A without the use of
any rivets or other equivalent fastenings, the pintles in the construction shown
constituting a part of the wire frame C.
Although I have described the lips as being introduced into the slots of tubes
first formed it will be apparent that the lips may be first lapped around the pintles,
and plates may be then bent round the latter, forming the tubes I connecting all
the parts of the comb without any others fastening and bracing and strengthening
the whole; and that the simple introduction of the pintles into the tubes will suffice
to bend the lips a to the proper shape.
'
If desired the lips a, instead of resting on the pintles, may extend below or
may be lapped completely round the same, thus imparting additional rigidity to
the body.
In some cases the vertical flanges of the bars may be introduced into vertical
slots in the tubes I, and then bent down by driving a bar or pintle into the tube, as
shown in Figs. 10 and 15.
The comb may be reduced in weight, and provision made for the escape of dust
by cutting away the backs of the toothed bars, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 4, or
by forming the lips a on flat toothed bars.
The tubes I may be cylindrical or of any other suitable shape, a flat tube being
4
5

page_text: shown in Fig. 16, and a flat pintle turned up at the ends, forming eyes n to receive
the ends of the bars of the frame C being employed.
I claim,-
1st. The combination in a brush of a flexible metallic back A and brushing face D
for the purpose set forth..
2nd. The combination of the back A and a brushing face, one portion of which
extends above and across the edge of the brush, for the purpose set forth.
3rd. The combination in a brush of the back A and a series of brush cylinders
arranged parallel to each other beneath and secured to the back, substantially as
specified.
4th. A brush, the face of which consists of brush cylinders supported by the back
and interlocking, substantially as specified.
5th. The combination of the brush back or frame and brushing face secured
detachably thereto, substantially as set forth.
6th. The said bent cylinders arranged beneath the back A with interlocking
bristles, as set forth.
7th. The said bent cylinders locked detachably to the under face of the back A,
for the purpose specified.
8th. The brush cylinders bent to a U shape and constituting the brushing face,
as set forth.
9th. The combination of the bent cylinders c, the straight cylinders c¹, and the
back A, as set forth.
10th. The combination of the back A, flanges b, and sliding locks c, for the
purpose set forth.
11th. A brush having a side handle and a handle C elevated above the back,
substantially as set forth.
12th. The combination of the metallic back or frame a provided with a handle
and the brushing face, as specified.
13th. The combination of a frame and toothed bars extending through and
secured permanently to bearings at the back of the frame, substantially as set forth.
14th. The comb plates extending through and resting with portions of their
inner faces upon the frame and permanently secured thereto, substantially as
specified.
15th. A curry comb in which toothed bars rest upon the frame and are secured
thereto by means of rods or bars c, as specified.
16th. The frame A provided with cross bars upon which the inner faces of the
comb plates rest, and to which they are confined permanently, substantially as
specified.
17th. The toothed bars having their bearings upon the back faces of cross bars a¹
and supported solely by the latter, as set forth.
18th. The frame A having slots for the reception of the toothed portions of
flanged comb plates, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
19th. A curry comb in which portions of flanged comb plates are confined
between the back of the frame and a covering plate, as described.
20th. A curry comb provided at the ends with slotted tubes I, into which extend
lips or flanges a of the comb plate or plates, substantially as set forth.
21st. The combination of the comb bars or plates D, the slotted tubes I, and
pintles e, extending through the tubes as and for the purpose set forth.
22nd. The combination of the independent toothed comb bars provided with lips
or flanges at the ends and slotted tubes I receiving the lips a, substantially as
specified.
23rd. The combination of the toothed comb bars or plate, slotted tubes I, and
pintles e, extending through the tubes and forming part of the frame connecting the
body and side handle, substantially as set forth.
24th. A curry comb having its separate parts connected and secured together by
slotted tubes I extending along the ends of the comb, and into which portions of
the comb plate or plates project, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 25th. The comb plate having projecting lips or flanges bent to conform to the
interior of the end tubes I, as specified.
26th. The plates having flanges bent and confined within the slotted tubes by
pintles passing through such tubes, as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of December, in the year of our Lord
1877.
H. J. HADDAN. (L.S.)