US463306A - Device for checking and unchecking - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) G. .0. LOVEJOY.

DEVIGE FOR CHECKING AND UNOHEOKING.

No. 468,306. Patenped Nov. 17,1891.

V Ira-verifier;

@Z/QJRQQK Mme 5565 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLINTON C. LOVEJOY, OF BE"HEL, MAINE.

DEVICE FOR CHECKING AND UNCHECKING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 463,306, dated November 17', 1891, Application filed May 16, 1890. Serial No. 35Z,10 i. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLINTON O. LovEJov, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bethel, in the county of Oxford and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Iinprovements in Extensible Check-Hooks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to that class of harness check-hooks wherein the hook is secured to the end of a strap wound on a cylinder and controlled by a coiled spring. In these devices the checkrein is free to be pulled forward by the horse and is returned automatically when the pull on the rein is released.

The object of my invention is toconstruct such a check-hook wherein the spring may be as long as possible, thus enabling the rein to be drawn out to a considerable distance and to provide devices by which the strap may be released or retained in any position. To this end I provide a cylinder whereon the strap is wound, having on its upper end a barrel of larger diameter than the body of the cylinder and in which is coiled a narrow spring. On the lower end of the cylinder I provide a ratchet which is adapted to be engaged by a catch connected with a spring-lever and controlled by the rein.

I illustrate my invention by means of the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my check-hook in position on a jack-saddle. Fig. 2 is a plan or top view with the casing removed. Fig. 3 is a section on a at of Fig.4, showing the catch and ratchet. Fig. t is a side elevation showing a portion cut away. Fig. 5 is a side view of the cylinder, on which is wound the strap; and Fig. 6 is a view of the lower portion of said cylinder.

B is a base, which is secured to the saddle A by means of a bolt g. A spindle Z1 is secured to the center of the base B. On this spindle is journaled the cylinder E, which is composed of a central portion, on which the strap F is wound, and an upper portion 6, of

larger diameter, in the form of a barrel, in which is coiled a narrow spring 6', secured to the spindle Z2 and the barrel. On the lower end of the cylinder is a ratchet e having square recesses in which the catch 6 is adapted to engage. The catch e fitslthese square recesses in such a manner that the cylinder is prevented from turning in either direction. The catch 6 is secured to or, as here shown, formed as an integral part of a lever B, pivoted to the base B at b and having an extension on the end of which is a hook 11 The rein D is thrown over this hook to control the check-hook, as hereinafter pointed out. A pin 17 is fixed in the lever B and extends down through a slot 11 in the base B. A spring f is held between two studs f and f on the under sideof the base B and presses against the pin h The stress of this spring f tends to force the lever over and to press the catch a into engagement with the ratchet 6 Two vertical pins Zr are fixed 011 the forward part of the base B, and between them passes the strap F, having on its end a hook J, adapted to retain the checkrein. A casing O incloses the cylinder E, and a nut c on the upper end of the spindle 1) holds it in place.

The operation of my device is as follows, viz: The lever B is pressed normally toward the ratchet 6 as shown in Fig. 3, the catch 6 engaging the ratchet. Vhen in this position, the cylinder is prevented from turning and the check-hook operates in the usual manner. hen it is desired to give the horse his head, the rein D is thrown over the hook b and the hook is swung to the right, releasing the catch e The strap may now be pulled out against the tension of the spring 6 and when released is again wound on the cylinder.

If it is desired to retain the strap at any given A point, the hook b is released when the strap is in the right position, and the catch c immediately engages the ratchet and prevents the strap from winding up orbeingpulled out. The barrel portion of the cylinder, being of larger diameter than the main portion whereon the strap is wound and being above or below it, as the case may be, is adapted to contain a very long spring, and hence provide for the extension of the strap to a considerable length.

I claim- 1. Ina harness chock-hook, a cylinderhaving a'body portion on which the strap is wound, a barrelportion of larger diameter on the end of said body, and a spring coiled therein for winding up said strap, in combination with the pivot on which said cylinder turns, a ratchet on the lower end of said cylinder, and a pawl or lever for engaging said ratchet, said pawl 01' lever being provided with a hook whereby it may be manipulated by the rein, substantially as described.

2. In a harness check-hook, a cylinder on which the strap is wound, abarrel on the end of said cylinder, a spring within said barrel for winding up said strap, a ratchet on the lower end of said cylinder having square notches, and a catch having opposite working edges for entering said notches, whereby the cylinder is prevented from turning in either direction, combined with a lever for operating said catch, substantially as described.

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

CLINTON C. LOVEJQY. Witnesses:

S. W. BATES, E. T. FOLEY.

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