US370909A

US370909A - tourgee

Info

Publication number: US370909A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1887-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 1904-10-04

Description

No Model.)

A. W TOURGE.

HARNESS.

lxvcllloz 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

A. W. TOURGE.

HARNESS.

No. 370,909. Patented Oct. 4.1887.

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f No MC1-deh) @sheets-sheet 3.

' A. W'. TOURCTE'.

HARNESS.

Patented Ofct. 41.,l 188,7...

. L W @,763 (n311/wanton N. PETERS. Pham-Lmugmpher, wasningtan. D. C,

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBION V. TOURGE, OF MAYVILLE, NEW' YORK, ASSIGNOR TO E. K. TOURGE OF SAME PLAGE.

HARNESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 370,909,datecl October 4,' 1887.

l Application filed December 31, 1886. Serial No. 223,123. (No model.)

o all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBION W.V TOURGE,

the several parts being'composed Wholly or chiefly of thin metal, so shaped and arranged as to permit ease of movement, freedom from chang or abrasion of the horse,lightness,dura bility, and greater excellence and efficiency by means of variously shaped and adj usted metallic parts, springs, fastenings, connections,

and adjustments novel in their character and designed to secure with metallic devices the service hitherto rendered by leather or other pliable fabrics, and an adjustment, elasticity, and adaptability of the several parts to suit horses of different sizes and shapes and permit of the ready application or removal of the harness or any part thereof. The several parts of the harness have a general resemblance to the corresponding parts of an ordinary harness, although to some extent differing in form, construction, and character of application and service,vall of whichwill be fully described hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents in perspective a complete harness constructed according to my present invention and adapted for use either for a single or a double team, the front ends of the reins shown 'in this figure being omitted'for lack of space,

and the bridle being also omitted, as that forms no part of my present invention. Fig.

full lines as open and in dottedlines aslocked.

Fig. 4 represents an enlarged detail view in perspective of the upper part of the top section ofthe collar, (or arch,) showing thehinged and pivotal connection of the upper portion of thetwo leaves forming said top section or arch. Fig.5 represents a front elevation,partly in section, of the saddle,saddle-arch, their adjusting devices, girthconnections, and a portion of the girth. Fig. 6 represents a detail sectional View on the line a a of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 represents a detail sectional view, taken on the line b b ot' Fig. 3, showing the tracesecuring device for securing the adjustable connection of the front ends of the traces to the collar, and also showing the construction of thelower part of the collar and collar-pad. Fig. 8 repre sents a detail sectional view showing the adj ustable connecting devices for connecting the main and cross reins or lines when more than one horse is employed. Fig. 9 represents a detail top plan view, partly broken away, of the rear end of the back-strap or back-band and the crupper. Fig. 10 represents a perspectiveview ot' the breeehing hip-strap,back band, and erupper, adjustable connecting de- Vices,thill-strap,and connections. Fig.11 represents a section taken on the line c c of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 represents a section taken on the line d d of Fig. 10. Fig. 13 represents a plan viewrof the blank for forming, and Fig. 14

represents a perspective view of the completed sliding band connecting the breeching and hip strap-connecting braces.

The harness represented in the drawings is adapted for use with either one or a pair of horses, the rein or line shown in Fig. 1 representing one-half of a rein as adapted for use with a double team, as in some cases, both for single and double teams, a breechingis not employed. My harness can be very readily used in such cases by simply unbuttoning the hipstrap from the back-band or back-strap, and removing it and the breeching.

I will now proceed to describe the several parts of my harness in detail,which comprises IOO 1 represents the collar, which is formed of metal, the neck-bars being in sections pivotally connected together.

2 represents the top section of the collar, which is in the form of an arch, the plates or bars 3 3 of which arch have inwardly-curved upper ends, 4, said curved portions having a rounded under face to permit of their restingl easily and comfortably upon the neck of a horse withoutchang it. Theinwardly-curved end of one of the members of the arch 2 eX- tends across the under face of the top of the arch and has its end free, as represented at 5, so as to constitute an outward-acting spring which is always depressed when the collar is closed.

6 represents a pivot-hinge connecting the curved arch bars together. Any suitable hinge other than that represented may be employed to connect the respective members of the arch and permit of the neck-bars being moved outwardly and transversely during use or when the collar-lock, to be presently described, is open. In the drawings I have represented a convenient and desirable form of hinge for this purpose, in which the leaf or plate 7 of the hinge is pivoted at one end, as at 8,te the extended side plate or bar, 3, which leaf is at its other end turned over one side of a square metallic loop, 9, while the upper end of the other side plate, 3, is similarly turned over the other side of said loop 9, as clearly represented in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The end of the side bar 3 is rounded, so as to permit the other side bar 3 to act freely on the pivot-hinge G, which, as shown, is located a little beyond the middle on the side of thebar 3*. The loop or buckle hinge is in the middle ofthe arch, and permits the arch-bars moving outwardly or inwardly, so as to permit the collar to open at the bottom, while the pivot 8 permits of the oscillation of said bars. This spring-arch is thus readily adjustable to horses necks generally. Through the lower portions of the side bars or plates,3 3, forming the arch 2, and through similar holes, 13, in the lower bars, 14 14, extend transverse holes or slots 10, through which pivots, usually composed of bolts l1, secured by nuts 12, are passed to adjustably and pivotally connect the two parts of the collar together. The collar may be readily adjusted,as to length,to suit the necks of different horses by adjusting the pivotal connections 11 12 between the upper and lower bars to the respective holes,10 13. As it may he desired, for instance, to shorten the collar, the connections 11 12 would be removed, the lower bars, 14, slipped up on the arch 2 to the desired height, and the said connections then passed through the registering holes 10 13. Similarly, when it is desired to lengthen the collar the lower bars, 14, would be disconnected from, lowered upon, and connected to the arch at a lower part thereof.

15 15 represent inwardly-curved metallic pads. The pads upon the lower part of the arch serve to protect the shoulders of the horse from the action of the pivots 11 l2,V and may be extended down the inside of the bar as far as may be desired, acting as awasher between the shoulder and the lower part of the collar, being held always in place by the arch, to which they are rigidly attached. The lower parts, 14, of the neck-bar are preferably pivotally connected on the outside of the arch 2, as shown, as by this means there is no danger of the neck of the horse being pinched during the oscillatory movements of the parts, even should the pads 15 be absent. By pivoting the upper and lower bars together entire freedom is afforded for the movements of the horses head and neck, as such pivotal connections permit of the lower part of the collar to swing freely backward and forward, and thus renders the collar su fliciently flexible to accommodate itself to the varied movements of the horse. The lower bars extend in a straight or nearly straight line to the corner of the shoulder, where they are there turned across the breast almost at right angles, as at 16, being given a slight outward bend to avoid their pressing against the breast in front.

17 17 represent cross-bars hinged at one end by outwardly-acting hinges 18 18 to the outwardly-bent right-angled lower ends, 16, of the lower bars, 14, while to the opposite ends of these cross-bars 17 are pivotally connected the two members 19 19 of the lock-plate, having key-hole slots 20 and headed lugs or pins 21 21, which, when the two plates of the lock are brought together to close and fasten the bottom of the collar, engage in said slots, as represented in dotted lines, Fig. 3.

22 represents a ilat key pivoted at one end, as represented at 23, to one member of the lock-plate 19, said key having a transverse open-ended slot, 24, and a thumb-piece, 25. When it is desired to close and fasten the bottom bars, 14, of the collar, the lock-plates 19 are grasped, the lower bars, 14, drawn inward, and the lock-plates drawn together and brought into overlapping position with the headed pins 21 within the enlarged portion of their appropriate slots 20, the inward pressure on said lock-plates released, whereupon the bars 14 will spring outward and draw the headed pins within the narrower portion of the slots 20. The thumb-piece 25 on the key 22 is then grasped and the key slid between the overlapping lock plate 19 and its openended slot 24 placed in engagement with the headed pin passed through the slet in that plate 19 to which the key is pivoted, the key, when pushed between the lapping plates 19, not only acting to grip and bind them together and in forcing the under plate in frictional and gripping contact with the head of the pin passed therethrough, but, by reason of a portion of the solid part of the key extending across the lower face of the head of said pin, also additionally serving as a stop to prevent the withdrawal of said pin through the slot through any jarring that may arise, thus IOO ` the lock is unfasteued, the attachmentY of the The pad or puff 26 of the collar consists of sheet met-al struck up into the proper forni, turned over and riveted or otherwise fastened to the side bars. This pad is designed to be of spring metal and'to offer a yielding and graduated pressure to the shoulder by being composed of one or more layers, 27 28, toregulate rigidity, the under one, 28, being rounded at the outer edge and puffed or swelled, as

`shown at 29, with an inward back curve, so. as to fit into the front of the shoulder instead` ofswelling outward,so asto embrace the shoulder. The under layer is at its inner edge bent around and embraces the adjacent side bar, as represented at 30, to which it is riveted or otherwise suitably secured. y i

Near the lower angle of each lower member of the collar is the metallic trace-fastener 33, whichconsists of a hollow boX made in two parts,34 and 35. The outer one, 35, is semi-cy lindrical, so as to [it either round or fiat traces, said trace-fastener being pivoted to the neckbar of the collar by an adjustable nut-andbolt attachment, 32, passing through a suitable hole, 3l, said trace-fastener being curved outward, so as to avoid the shoulder, and the twov parts beingsecured together by bolts and nuts 36, or other suitable means, which also pass through holes 37 in the traces, so as to hold the traces securely.

It will readily be seen that by means of the holes 37 in the traces and the connecting devices 36 the traces can be readily adj usted in position within the fasteners, so as to lengthen or shorten them, as desired.

It will be observed that the collar as thus constructed when closed, instead of being of oval or elliptical shape, as customary, is more of a reversed-V shape, the upper third of the collar being of arch or bow form, which, when the parts are in position, is held rigid by holdback and brace springs, to be presently described, and by them maintained Aat all times in the same relation to the parts of the harness-saddle, while the lower part ofthe collar The lock-plates 19 may be proflares outwardly in straight lines, forming, with thelocking device, a practically square or oblong shape. This form prevents choking by removing pressure from the thick part of the horses neck. It also gives direct and not sliding pressure on the shoulder, so that force applied in holding Aback is applied to the horses back and -neck alike, the effect of this combination being to form a light, elastic, but sufficiently rigid yoke, which embraces the animals shoulders and distributes the-weight of the tongue and of the load on a descending grade between the pads and the collar.

38 represents the traces, which, as before stated, are adjustably attached at theirfront .ends to the trace-fasteners through the niedium of the holes 37 and the connecting -devices 36. The traces may be either ilat or round or tubular, or partly of both forms, as desired. In the drawings I have represented them as round with perforated flat front ends,'although it is manifest that the front ends may also be round and have the holes v37 formed therein. On the rear end of each tug or trace I slip a short cylinder or tube, 39, which is split or bifurcated from its outer end rearward for a portion of its length, and is exteriorly screwthreaded, as represented at 40.

41 represents a screw cap or ring, to which is hinged or pivoted, as shown at 42, a cockeye, said screw cap or ring 41 in the illustration shown being formed with outwardly-extending cheeks or flanges 44, and the cockeye with atail, 45, which latter is placed between and pivoted to the cheeks 44 by the pivot 42, passi ng thereth rough. The cockeye is at a right angle to the plane of the tail 45 to permit of its ready engagement with the whiffletreehook orvother draft attachment. The advautage of this Vconstruction is that it readily allows of the end of the trace being left round and its connection with the draft device rendered readily adjustable. By bifurcating the threaded tube 39 it can be easily and speedily slipped upon and also clamped on the trace by the screw cap or ring 41, thus providing a perfectly secure and effective connection for 'the cockeye. j

When it is designed to use my harness as a double harness without traces, the draft devices would be attached to the draftyoke or trace-fastener, heretofore described, attached to the collar.

The harness-saddle 46 is of sheet metal and is composed of two partsw-viz., rst, the tree or connecting bar 47, and, second, the pad 48.

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near the base on each side of the Iarch per- ,v

mitting lof the attachment of the tree to the under'portion of the pad either by a rivet or a bolt and nut, as at 52,while the perforations 5l permit of the passage therethrough of the bolts 53 and terret 54, by means of which the springs, to be presently described, are adjustably connected to the tree.

The saddle-pad 55 is composed of an inner piece of pliable sheet metal, 56, either permanently or removably attached to the tree at its upper extremity bythe bolt or rivet 52, and slightly upturned at its edges, as at 57, and having curved or rounded under portion and extending downward far enough to reach the outermost point in the curve of t-hehorses body. At the lower end said pad is turned over a square loop, 58, by which it is connected with the girth. Attached to the lower end of this inner portion of the pad by a rivet, 59, or bolt and nut is a spring, 60, reaching up the attachment with the t-ree and having perforations Gl,which admit of its adj ust-ment by means ot' the bolts and nuts 53 and terret 5l on the prong of the tree. Under the end of each prong 49 is a bow-spring, 62, having perforations 63, which admit of its being used t0 raise or lower the end or prongs of the tree with relation to the spring 60 below. The 0peration of this style of pad is to make it perfcctly and easily adjustable to any form of horse within reasonable limits. By moving the interior spring, 60, outward and the other one, 62, inward the end ot' the pliable inner sheet, 5G, ofk the pad is depressed and the pad made to tit exactly any form of barrel. 1t is intended to cover the bolts and nuts, or part of them, the outer ones and the terret,with a pecnliarly-shaped hollow cap, 64. This hollow cap 0r nut cover forms a guard and lock for the nuts, forms an ornamental cover for the same, and protects them from interference and i'ronl rain and dust. In the illustration shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings this eap 61 is represented as forminga base for the terret ring 65, and is there composed of a hollow rounded top portion having slotted sides 6G, to permit of the passage therethrough of the lower end of the arch-prong, and also the insertion of the thumb and finger or an'instrument to operate the nut,with a screw-threaded orifice, 67, to receive the stem of the terret, a base portion, GS, on which said prong may rest, and with a central hole through which the bolt may pass. Vherc such cap is employed simply as a guard or ornamental covering to a bolt-nut it would he composed of a hollow cap with an impcn forate top portion, thc base portion in such case operating as a washer, as represented in Fig. 5, the construction in such case of this cap being the same as heretofore described, with the single exception that the hole in the top for the reception of the terret is omitted.

69 represents the girth, which is composed of three parts, viz: First, an inner sheet, 70, of pliable sheet lnetal having outwardly-curved edges and riveted at the ends to the outer part, as at 7l; second, a band, 72, ot' spring sheet metal, fitting the groove formed by upsetting the edges of the inner piece, 70, and riveted to it at 7l. This outer portion of the girth is an outwardacting spring, the action of which is regulated by the interior plate, 70; and, third, pivotal connections. Near each end of the spring 72 is pivotally attached, at 76, on the outer side, a short piece, 73, oi' the same character, to which is attached a stud, 74, having a head, 75, the longer diameter of which is crosswise of the band. This stud tits, by its longer diameter, certain slots 77 in the overlapping ends of strips of spring metal, which are hinged to the lower ends of the pad by the square loops 58 by means of the slotted connecting-plates 78 and the studs 74 on the connecting-strip 73. The length of the girth can be readily adjusted by simply turning the pivotcd piece 73 on the end of the girth down until it is at right angles with the slotted connecting-strap 78, passing the head ot the stud 74 through the appropriate slot 77, and returning the pivotcd piece to its position. The edges of this pivotcd piece are slightly upturned to make disengagement impossible.

At the junction of the upper or arch and lower parts of the collar are adjustably pivoted the holdhacksprings 79, which consist of flat metallic outwardly-acting springs, and extend back to the pad or harness-saddle, being provided with holes or perforations 80, by means of which and the terrets or bolts and nuts said springs may be adjusted, so as to regulate the distance between the collar and the saddle and accommodate the movements of the collar resulting from the horses action.

8L represents the stay-spring, which is a small llat metallic spring adjustably and pivotally connecting the upper part ofthe collar andthe holdbaek-spring, so as to regulate the position of the upper part of the collar with relation to the holdbackspring and pad, cach of said stay springs or braces being pivotcd at its upper end, at 82, to the arch, and at its lower end pivotcd with capability of adjustment in the holes or perforations S3 in the holdback-spring. The operation of these two springs is to distribute the l'orcc required to hold back the load ou a descending track evenly between the saddle and the top of the collar.

The trace-supports consist of a pair of thin springs, Si, struck into proper shape, the lower end of one of cach of which hooks into the hinge connecting the pad and girth, while the other end is slipped under a cap or thimble, 85. The advantages-ol this construction are that the trace-supports are easily attached and removed, are uoiseless, and cannot rattle.

The back-band or backspring 86 consists of elastic and adjustable straps extending from the point of the hips back to the crupper. The top strap, `87, has adjustment holes or slots 88, through which an elongated headed stud 89 on the lower strap, 90, passes. This stud is set solidly in the strap, as it is not ol'ten changed. To the strap 90 is pivotcd, at 91, a plate or strap, 92, to which the crupper is attached. By reason of the pivotal connection of the Crapper-plate and the loose con- IOO nection formed by the stud 89 freedom of movement is permitted to the tail of the horse. The plates or straps 87 90 92:y are of sheet metal and have Vupturned or curved edges, as shown. The back-band in front of the hips may be extended as far as desired in one piece of spring l IO metal. From that point it is divided, so as to connect with the pad ofthe harnesssaddle 'on each side by a spring or springs, 92, pivotally attached at 93 to the back -strap. These springs may be either flat or coiled or partly iiat and partly coiled, as shown, their action being twofold-first to accommodate the action of the horse in bending his body to one side or the other, and, second, to prevent the rocking or tipping of the harness pad which results from attaching the back-strap directly to the arch of the harness-saddle. The springs 92 are at-their front ends attached to the saddle-pad in any suitable manner-such,for instance, as by loops or eyes 91:.

95 represents the crupper, which is of bifurcated form, one of the arms being rigidly connected at its inner end to the plate 90, upon which it rests, while the other arm is attached to said plate 90 by a vertical pivot orhinge,`

99, which permits of one of the tubular arms of the crupper being moved sidewise or laterally, when desired, and clasped around the horses tail, said arm'being heldin place, when in position,.by a turn-button, 97, pivoted tov the plate 90. Rearwardly of its connection'to the plate 90 said crupper extends in the form y of curved jointed metal tubes 98, the jointed portions being pivotally connected together by vertically-acting. hinges `or pivots 99 and the lateral-acting hinge99, to permit of movement in use, the ready insertion of the tail of the horse, and to accommodate strain upon the central portion by drafton the back-strap.

` The reins or lines 100 may be of the ordinary character, round throughout their entire length, or round at thefront part only. In case the ordinary lines are used it is intended that the grip or hand part shall he composed of alternate hat or round parts of somewhat more than a handls breadth in length and connected by metallic rings of sufficient size to admit the finger, or, as represented in the drawings, Fig. 1, with a round front portion and a section of iat lengths, 101, connectedv together and to the round portion by rings 102. The purpose of this is to increase the pliability of the rein, and at the same time afford a stronger grip, without any need of special adjustmentas to length; in other words, to do away with the need of special grips. A

rein thus constructed possesses the great advantage that wherever a man catches hold of his line he has an invincible'. grip by simply slipping a finger through a ring.

In the drawings I have represented a porltion of the reins for use in a double harness.

In this construction the cross-reins 103 in the of half-tubes, 104, having an .exterior screw'- .107 thereon, which act compresses the springjaws of said clamp 108 upon the rein, so as to firmly grip it. Then the inner end of the crossrein 103 is inserted between the spring-jaws of its clamp 10l,and said j aws gripped upon the cross-rein by turning the screw nut or ring 109 along toward the out'cr end of the clamp. The exterior faces of the clamping-tubes and the interior of the sliding rings may be plain, and theclamping may-be accomplished simply by a sliding grip, ifdesired; but I prefer to employ screw-threads, as such would be safer and more effective. The same mechanism as that on the crossline is intended to be used to attach a round trace to hames or collar. The advantages secured by this arrangement are neatness, ease of operation, and readiness of adjustment. The clamping devices may be applied to any round rein.

The screw-threads on the clamping-tubes may, if desired, be of a character to form indentations in the interior surface thereof, in which case, when the screw-threaded rings are turned along the clamps, the indentations on the spring-jaws will be pressed against the inclosed end of the rein and hold it firmly, without flattening or -perforating it.

The lines and bridles of this harnessmay be either ofthe ordinary styles or the bridles and round and'hollowv rein heretofore patented by me on the 13th of November, 1885, No. 329,508, such reins, however, being modified as herein described. l

The forward endof each length of reinis similarly gripped between a clamp,110, of similar construction to the clamping device 104 109. Extending outwardly from this tubular clamp 110 is a flange or lip, 111, to which are riveted at 112 wire bridle-grasping snaphooks 113 114, one above the other, the top snap-hook, 113, facing one way, while the bottom one, 114, faces in the opposite direction, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. By these snap-hooks the reins are connected with the bridle-ring 115, and the reins can thus be connected or disconnected easily and rapidly. By facing the hooks in opposite directions, as represented, a safety-catch is formedw-hich insuresthe maintenance of the rein-connection with the bridle.

The breeching 115 is composed of an inner strip of metal, 116, of Ybowed form, gradually tapering from the center towardeach end, and

having curved or rounded inner face, 117, and outwardly-curved edges 118, to permit of its resting against the horse without chating, and a iiat spring, 119, resting within the groove formed by the curved shape ofthe inner piece, 116, and secured at .120 to the center of the IOO IIO

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breeching, and having adj ustlnent-holes 121 at and near its respective ends, through which bolts, rivets, or other connecting devices 122 are passed, to adjustably secure said spring to the inner plate, 116, of the breeching, and thus regulate the degree of tension of said spring thereon, so as to regulate the rotundity of the breeching. The hip-strap is composed of two curved strips of spring metal, 123 123, having holes 124 in their lower ends, to facilitate their vertically-adjustable connection by bolts and nuts 125 with the breeching, the upper ends of said sectional hip-strap being pivotally connected, as at 126, to the top of the connecting plate or strip, 127, having upturned edges and of about the same width as the width of the hip-strap, in order that each of the straps 123 may have independent rests or bearings upon which to oscillate during the sidewise movements of the horse in either direction. The hip-strap is connected to the back-band by means of a button or stud, 12S, which has its longest diameter lengthwise of the plate or strip 127, and engages with the appropriate slot, S8, in said back-band.

12S represents a sliding clasp or band, which in its completed state. as represented in Fig. 14, has top and bottom square intnrned lips, 129, which embrace the hip strap, and outwardly-extending perforated flanges or wings 130, to which are pivotally connected the upper ends of a pair of braces, 131, which extend therefrom at an outward angle to and are at their lower ends pivotally connected, as at 132, to the brceching, so as to brace and connect said breeching and hip-strap together and yet provide for oscillatory movements. NVhen it is desired to either shorten or lengthen the hipstrap, the bolts 125 are removed, the band or clasp 128, with the thereto-attached braces 131, slid up or down, as the case may require, upon the hip-strap, and the bolt 125 then restored to its connecting position. Vhen it is desired to remove the breeching, the button 128L is released from engagement with the slot 8S, whereupon the hip-strap and the breeching and connections can be removed.

133 represents the thill-braces, which consist of rings 131, pivotally connected by straps or strips 135 to the front ends of the breeching, so as to receive the thill-straps 13G.

The manner of forming the sliding band or clasp 128 will he readily understood on reference to Figs. 13 and 14. In Fig. 13 is shown the blank, which consists of a fiat piece of metal having a pair of slots, a a, at each end. Bybending the ends b over partly at right angles and partly parallel with the body of the blank the intnrned lips 129, for elasping the hip-strap, are produced.

Vherever rivets are herein referred to it is designed to employ bolts and nuts, except in such instances as where the parts are not intended to be adjustable, as thereby an casier adjustment of parts can be effected than would be possible were the ordinary headed rivets employed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A metallic harness comprising a collar composed of a two-part and pivotally-connected arch-shaped top portion having adjustment-holes in its lower portion, side bars having similar adjustmentholes in their npper portions, pivot pins or bolts connecting the respective sections with capability of vcrtical adjustment the'one on the other, and a bottom connecting-lock hinged to said side bars, a flexible perforated saddle-tree, flexible saddle and girth, a spring connectedto the saddle and having perforations registering with the perforations in the tree, perforated holdback-springs pivotally connected at their front ends to the collar, bolts or tcrrcts connecting said holdback-springs and tree, stay-springs pivotally connected at their respective ends to the collar and holdback-springs, trace or tug fasteners each composed of a two-part hollow box, one part being semi-cylindrical to adapt the same to receive either round or flat traces, spring trace-supports, an elastic and pliable metallic back-bandhavinga perforated rear portion, ahinged bifnrcated crupper having one arm hinged to the back-band to permitfof itslateral movement and the outer ends jointed to permit of vertical movement, abutton for holding the laterally-moving arm in locked position, a connecting band or strap removably and adj ustably connecting said backband and cr'upper, a flexible metallic breeching, a sectional hip-strap having perforations in its lower ends to permit of its verticallyadjustable connection with the breeching, a connecting strip having a button to engage the perforations in the back-band, and having pivotal connection with thc sectional hip-strap, braces pivotally connected at their ends respectively to the hip strap and breeching, traces having longitudinally-adjustable cockeye-carrying clamps and eockeycs hinged to said clamps, reins having jawed gripping clamp connections, oppositely facing snaphooks to connect with the bridle, and a series of hand-grasps, substantially as and for theA purpose set forth.

2. A lnetallic collar composed of atwo-part arch-shaped top portion, having overlapping curved upper ends and a pivot-hinge connecting the same, a pair of straight side bars pivotally connected to said arch with capability of vertical adjustment thereon, a two -part lock-plate having hinge and pivotal connection to the lower ends of the side bars, and devices, substantially as described, for securing said plates in locked position.

3. A metallic collar having a jointed archshaped spring top portion, straightlower bars having transversely and outwardly bent lower ends, means, substantially as described, for pivotally and adjustably connecting the upper and lower parts of the collar, inwardlycurved sheet-metal spring pads or puffs at the lower portion of the collar, and inwardlycurved metallic protecting-pads secured to the IOC reg

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lower part of the arch, substantially as set forth.

gt. A metallic collar having ajointed archshaped spring top portion, straight lower bars having transversely and outwardly bent lower ends, means, substantially as described, for

pivotally and adj ustably connecting the upper and lower parts of the collar, and inwardlycurved metallicprotecting-pads secured to the lower part of the arch, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination,with asectional collar, substantially as described, of the lock, herein described, for connecting thelower ends ofthe neck-bars ofa collar, consisting ofa pair of plates hinged, respectively, to the lower ends of said neck-bars, a pair of slotted plates pivotally connected to said hinge-bars, and having' headed pins to engage said slots, anda slotted key pivotally connected to one of said slotted plates, so as when said slotted plates are connected together by the engagement therewith of the headed pins toperrnit ot' said key being slid between said plates and engaging one or more ofsaid headed pins and gripping the lock-plate, substantially as set forth.

6. A metallic trace or tug fastener composed of two outwardly-curved parts,the outer part being semi-cylindrical to adapt said fastener to receive either flat or round traces, said curved pieces being pivotally connected attheir inner ends to the neck-bar of the collar, and bolts and nuts connecting said parts together and to the traces, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with a metallic collar and metallic harness -saddle', a pair of longitudinally adjustable h oldback springs for connecting said collar and saddle and regulating the distance between the same, and bracesprings bracing and connecting said collar to the holdback-springs, substantially asset forth.

8. A metallic harness-saddle composed of an arch-tree having downwardly and outwardly projecting perforated prongs, a pad composed of a pair of downwardly-curved plates of pliable sheet metal, each having upturned edges and curved or swelled under portion and connected at the Lipper part to the tree, and platesprings ad j ust-ably connected to said saddle and tree for the purpose of adjusting the pad and tree to fit different horses.

9. The combination, with ametallic harnesssaddle, of a metallic spring-girth composed of an inner sheet or strip of pliable metal having outwardly-curved edges, an outer band of spring metal fitting between the outturned edges of the inner band, strips pivotally connected at one end to said outer band and having studs on their opposite ends, and strips of spring metal hinged at one end to the saddle and having perforated lower ends to receive the studs on the strips connecting the girth to the saddle, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination, with a metallic harness-saddle having a cap or thimble near its lower end and a loop or hinge at its lower end, of a spring trace-support hooked at its lower end into said loop or hinge and at its upper end slipped within the thimble on the saddle,

substantially as set forth.

11. Ametallicback-band or back-strap composed of a flexible metallic rear portion having adjustment-slots therein, and an under piece of metal having an upwardly-projecting button or stud to engage with said slots, so as to secure the longitudinal adjustment of the back-band, and a front spring portion having rear pivotal connection to the front portion of the band and front connection on opposite sides of the harness-pad, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination,` with a metallic back band, substantially as herein described, of a tubular metallic bifurcated crupper, oneotthe arms of which has vertical pivotal connection at its front portion to the back-band, while the other arm is rigidly connected thereto, each of said arms having an inwardly-curved rear end, the outer portion of said inwardlycurved ends or lingers having hinge-connection with the inner portions to permit of said fingers having vertical movement, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. The combination, with a flexible metallic back-band, a metallic plate pivotally connected at its front portion thereto and having upturned side edges and at its rear an upwardly-extending button, and a tubular metallic bifnrcated crupper, one arm of which is at its front end rigidly connected to said pivotal plate, while the other arm of said crupper is at its front end pivotally connected to said pivotal plate to permit oi' the lateral movement of said member of said crupper, each-of said arms of the crupper having inturned rearends pivotallyconnected to the main portion of the Vcrupper to permit ofsaid rear ends moving vertically, as s'et forth, and said button being pivotally attached to the pivotal plate and having an elongated head to adapt it to hold said cru pper in position, substantially as set forth.

14. A flexible metallic breeching having a Y curved or rounded inner face,outturned edges,

a tension-plate spring adjustably secured to the exterior of said curved metallic breeching to regulate the rotundity and rigidity thereof, and means for removably connecting said breeching to the back-strap, substantially as set forth.

15. In a harness, the combination, with a metallic back-band having adjustment-holes in its rear portion and a flexible metallic breeching, of a sectional curved hip-strap having perforated lower ends and means, as described, for connecting said strap to the breeching with capability of vertical adjustment thereon,andaplatehavingabutton forconneeting the same with the back-band and having pivotal connection at or near each end to the respective sections of the hip-strap, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination, with a flexible metallic IIO breeehing, of a springinetal hip-strap having vertically adjustable connection with said breeehing, clasps or bands having intnrned lips to embrace said hip-strap and outwardlyextending perforated ilanges or wings, and braces pivotally connected at their upper ends to said clasps or hands and extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom and pivotaliy connected at their lower ends to the breeching, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

17. The metallic hipstrap herein described, consisting of a pair of curved spring-metal plates, a connecting-plate pivotally connecting the upper ends of said hip-strap, and means, substantially as described, for removably connecting said hip-strap and connecting-plate to the back-band.

18. In a harness, the combination, with a tug or trace, of a tubular clamp adapted at its rear end to receive the rear end of a trace, and having a split or bifurcated front end and cxteriorly serew't-hreaded, as described, an interiorly-screw-threaded ring or nut to engage the threads on the clamp and grip the jaws thereof upon the trace, and having outwardly-extending cheeks or ilanges, a cockeye having a tail extending therefrom at a right angle and placed between the cheeks or iianges on the ring, and a pivot pin or hinge connecting the tail on the eoekeye and the anges on the ring together, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

19. The herein-described metallic thill-brace, consisting of a metallic strap pivotally con nected at its rear end to the front end of the breeching, and having a ring at its outer end to which the thill-strap is secured, substan tially as set forth.

20. The adjustable device herein described for connecting main and cross line reins, eon- 4o sist-ing ofa jawed tube embracing the main line, a ring or nut adapted to reciprocate along said tube and clamp the jaws thereof upon the line, and a siniilarly-jawed tube pivotally connected to said sliding ring and having ajawgripping ring or nut to clamp said tube on the crossline, and thus pivotally connect said lines together, arranged and operating substantiall y as and for the purpose described.

21. The device herein described for connect ing the front end of a rein to a bridle, consisting of a tubular-jawed clamp within which the front end of the rein is inserted, a ring or nut adapted to reciprocate upon said tube to clamp the jaws thereof upon the rein, and 0ppositely-facing snap-hooks secured to the front end of said tube, arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose described.

22. The rein composed of one or more seetions, consisting of alternate iiat lengths and rings connecting the same together and to the main portion of the rein, so as to form handgrasps, substantially as set forth.

23. A cap or cover for inclosing the up wardly-projecting portion of the terrets and bolts and nuts, consisting of a perforated base portion to receive the bolt and operate as a washer for the nut, and a top hollow portion to receive the nut and having slotted sides to permit of access to the inelosed nut, substann tially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALBION W. TOURGEE.

Vitn esses:

C. R. GIPPERLY, G. S. FLAGLER.