US313673A - ibvine - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

R. O. IRVINE.

BITTING AND DRIVING HARNESS.

Patented Mar. 10, 1885.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. R. O. IRVINE.

BITTING AND DRIVING HARNESS.

No. 313,673. Patented Mar. 10, 1885.

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RICHARD O. IRVINE, OF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

BlTTlNG AND DFZlVlNG HARNESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 313,673, dated March 10, 1885.

Application filed November 10, 1884. (So moiltl.)

My invention relates to the class of harness and to certain new and useful improvements there1n,by which a hitting-harness may readily be converted into a driving-harness, and vice versa.

My invention consists in the adaptation of the hip-straps of the driving-harness to serve as the side back-straps of the hitting-harness; in a fastening on each side of the saddle adapted to engage the ends of the side backstraps and the side check'straps of the bittingharness and the shaft-bearers and tugs of the driving-harness, and in suitable fastenings upon said straps by which their various engagements are readily effected, all of which I shall hereinafter fully explain.

In teaching a colt to become accustomed to the bit, or, as it is usually termed, to become bridle-wise, a harness known as a bitting harness is employed. This differs from the ordinary driving-harness in the omission of some parts and the changed construction and adaptation of others to make the harness serve the purpose intended. To illustrate this, the breeching, the shaft-bearers and tugs, and the driving-reins,which are always present in the driving-harness, are omitted in the bitting-harness, the object being not to put the colt to work but to teach him to become ac customed to the bit. The hitting-harness is usually a separate and distinct harness from the driving-harness, and they cannot be used interchangeably.

It is the object of my invention to provide, by means of a proper construction, arrangement, and adaptation of parts, a harness which can readily be converted from one to the other kind and answer effectively for either.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 isa View showingthe harness when converted into a hitting-harness and applied to a colt. Fig. ,2 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the saddle. Fig. 3 is a view showing the application of the driving-harness.

. A is the usual saddle, secured by the bellyband a. B is the turn-back strap, and G the crapper. Secured to the rear portion of the turn-back strap are the straps D,wh.ich in the hitting-harness serve as side baclcstraps, Fig. 1, and in the driving-harness, Fig. 3 serve as the usual hip-straps. In the latter harness they are secured to and support the breeching E by means of any suitable snap-hook, d, buckle, or other fastening, though I prefer a snap-hook as being the most easily and quickly adjusted.

In the hitting-harness, the breeching being omitted, the straps are readily disengaged from it, and are then carried forward and snapped into a loop, m, on the side of the saddle below the rein-ring, as shown in Fig. 2. As will be seen by this figu re, the loop at forms one of three loops of a plate or casting, M, riveted to the saddle. The opposite loop is designated bym, and the lower central one bym". I do not, however, confine myself to the plate M as a means for attaching the various straps, for other forms of fastenings may be used; but I prefer the'three-looped plate for its simplicity and effectiveness.

The bridle F may be any suitable bridle either for driving or breaking, as either will answer the purpose of the other to an extent sufficient to warrant itsuse. The check rein or strap f of the bridle is hooked to the saddle, as usual.

G, Fig. 1, are the side check-straps, provided with snap-hooks, the forward ends being snapped into the rings of the bit, and their rear ends being snapped into the loop in of the plate M.

When used as a driving-harness, the side check-straps, G, are easily removed and omitted, as they are not needed, the driving-reins H, Fig. 3, being substituted and properly directed.

The shaftbearers and tugs I, 3, of the driving-harness, and which are absent in the bitting'harness, are provided with snap-hooks and engage or are otherwise secured to the lower loop, 771 of plate M.

In order to convert the driving -harness (shown in Fig. 3) into the hitting-harness of Fig. 1, I first unhook the hipstraps D from the breeching which is dispensed with) and carry ICO the said straps forward and hook them to loop m, forming the side back-straps, D, of Fig. 1. I then unhook and dispense with the shaft-bearers and tugs I, dispense with the usual breaststrap and traces and reins, and put on the side check-straps,G, securing them to the bit-rings and loops m, as shown. In this manner but one set of harness is required to answer both purposes, and the conversion from one to the other may be easily and quickly made.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a convertible hitting and driving harness, the straps D, in combination with the plate M, whereby said straps are adapted to be used for either hip-straps or side straps, substantially as herein described.

2. In aconvertible bitting and driving harness, the side back-straps. D, of the hitting-harness secured to the turn-back strap and to the saddle, adapted to be employed for the hipstraps of a driving-harness, substantially as herein described. I

3, In a convertible hitting and driving harness, the straps D, secured by one end to the turn-back strap, and provided with means whe eby it is adapted to be secured by their other ends'to either the saddle or the breeching, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

I 4. In a convertible hitting and driving harness, the hip-straps D of the driving-harness,

in combination with-the saddle provided with a suitable connecting device to engage said straps when freed of the breeching, whereby they form the side back-straps of the bittingharness, substantially as herein described.

5. In a convertible hitting and driving harness, the hip-straps D of the driving-harness, having suitable fastenings by which they are attached to the breeching, in combination with the saddle A, having a loop or ring, m, upon each side, whereby the hip-straps, when freed from the breeching, may engage the saddle to form the side back-straps of the bitting-harness, substantially as herein described.

6. In a convertible bitting and driving harness, the combination of the saddle A, provided with the three-looped plates M, one on each side, the straps D, provided with snap hooks, and adapted to engage the breeching or the rear loop of the plates M,and forming, according to their engagement, the hip-straps of a driving-harness or the side back-straps of a hitting-harness, the side check-straps, G, provided with snap-hooks engaging the bitrings and the forward loop of the plates M, and the shaft-bearers and tugs I, provided with snap-hooks engaging the lower loops of said plates, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

RICHARD o. IRVINE.

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