US293324A - Theatee - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

W. HANLON THEATER APPLIANGE. No. 293,324. n Patented Feb; 12, 1884.

H, PETERS. Phub-Lnlmgnpher. Wnshgnglcn. D C,

'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM HANLON, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

THEATER APPLlANCE.

srncrnronrron' formin part of Letters Patent No. 293,324, dated February 12, 1884, Application filed September 22, 1983. (No model.)

To all whom) it may concern Be it known that I, WVILLIAM HANL N, of the city of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented an 11nprovement in Theater Appliances, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to apparatus for pantomimic representations; by which ludicrous effects are produced; and it consists in providing a horse or figure of a horse with a false head and neck, the same being fixed upon its hind quarters, thus giving to the horse the appearance of having two heads, each pointing in opposite directions, and placing thcre on 'a man or figure having two pairs of legs and arms, two bodies, and two heads, and arranged back to back, and in minordetails of construction, all of which are fully set forth in the fol lowing specification, and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form part thereof.

The object of my invention is to obtain a comical pantomime effect. man so prepared come upon a stage or in a procession, the effect is very ludicrous and pleasing. if the animal were moving properly in one direction, and if he then move forward, just the same effect is produced for the other direction, so far as its'head and man are concerned; but during such movements it appears as if the two horses and two men were trying to ride out of each other, or trying their strength against each other to effect a separation. It is evident that while I prefer a live horse and man, the same practical effectmay be'attained with either the horse or man, or both made of inert material, and, if desired, the motions may be effected by suitable mechanism.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved pantomime property;

and Fig. 2 is an elevation of same, showing the masks and make-up in section.

A is the horse, which may be real or the imitation figure of a horse.

B is an imitation-horses head or mask, and is secured upon the hind quarters of the horse, as shown, the tail being placed therein; or in case the horse is only a figure, the two heads may be fixed permanently to the body.

G is the double saddle or its equivalent, and D and E are bands, which may be used as orhen a horse and If the horse back, the effect is as naments, and also hide the juncture of the mask B with the horseA.

F is the man, whose face is covered with a mask, I. A similar mask, I, is also placed at the back of his head, and the two covered with a single comicalhat, J. To the mans back is secured a padding representing another body, F, and to which is secured an imitation pair of legs, K.

In place of a human being supporting the double faced clothes or garments and masks, a support of any description may be substituted, as the general effect would be the same; but when a real horse is used with an imitation head, then it is advisable to let a human being support the clothes, as he or she can then guide the horse also.

G is a coat, which is provided with two pairs of sleeves, H, and is open in both directions.

This man, so dressed up, is placed upon the horse aboveset forth, and the necessary reins invention is equally applicable to fowl or birds generally, and-in place of a man or figure of a manthe figure of another animal-as amonkey, may be used. I

I am aware that some of the heathen gods and goddesses were supposed to have as many as four heads on the one body, as is shown in the Hindoo god Brahma, or several bodies joined together back to back, with as many heads as shown in the Roman goddess Hecate. I therefore limit my invention to the lower order of animals, in which the false head is secured to the hind quarters or the tail of a fowl, and adapted to receive the representation of a man upon its back.

Having now described my invention, what I;

animal or fowl, provided with two heads ar ranged to point in opposite directions, one of which corresponds to the natural head, and the other. of which projects rearward from the hind quarters or tail of said animal or fowl, in combination with a support or figure of a man, or woman, or animal, so formed as to have two faces, two pairs of arms and legs, and two body-fronts, the said double-faced figure being supported upon the back of the animal or fowl, and between the two heads thereof, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of the figure of a horse, A, head-mask B, body FF, masks I, twopairs of arms, H, and legs K, secured to body F F, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination of the figure of a horse, A, head-mask B, body F F, masks I, double hat J, and two pairs of arms, H, and legs K, secured to body F F, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. The combination of the figure of a horse, A, head-mask 13, body F F, masks I, double hat J, coat G, having four arms, and four legs, K, secured to body F F, substantially as and for the purpose specified. I

5. The combination of the figure of a horse, A, head-mask B, a body, F F, masks I, two pairs of arms, H, and two pairs of legs, K, and bands D, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. The combination of the figure of a horse,

7 A, head-mask B, a body, F F, masks I, two

pairs of arms, H, and two pairs of legs, K, and bands E, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. A detachable mask of the head of a horse or other figure, having its neck part so formed as to fit the hind quarters or tail of said figure, substantially as set forth.

8. A detachable mask of the head of a horse or other figure, having its neckpart so' formed as to fit the hind quarters or tail of same, and means to hide the juncture of the mask'with the body, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of a head or mask of an animal or fowl, having its neck part formed to fit the hind quarters or tail of said animal, With the double figure or clothes of a man facing in opposite directions, substantially as shown, and a support for said figure or clothes, whereby it or they are carried upon the back of said animal between its real and imitation head, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. The combination of a head or mask of an animal or fowl, having its neck part formed to fit the hind quarters or tail of said animal, with the double figure or clothes of a man facing in opposite directions, substantially as shown, a pair of reins in each pair of hands of said figure, and adapted to connect with the real and imitation head of the animal, and a support for said figure or clothes, whereby it or they are carriedupon the back of said animal between its real and imitation head, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM HANLON. Witnesses:

JOHN D. GREEN, T. XVRIGHT.

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