US486370A - Blanket-roll support for soldiers - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

0. DODGE, Jr. BLANKET ROLL SUPPORT FOR SOLDIERS.

No. 486,370 Patented Nov. .15, 1892.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES DODGE, J R, OF FORT BAYARD, TERRITORY OF NEW MEXICO.

BLANKET-ROLL SUPPORT FOR SOLDIERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 486,370, dated November 15, 1892.

' Application filed June 20, 1892- Serial No. 437,423. (No mcdel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES DODGE, J r., first lieutenant, Twentyfourth Infantry, United States Army,stationed at Fort Bayard, in the county of Grant and Territory of New Mexico, have invented a certain new and Improved Blanket-Roll Support, of which the following is a specification.

- The object of my invention is to provide a substitute for the knapsack or pack of any kind which can be conveniently worn by the foot-soldier and by means of which he can carry with the least discomfort in marching the blanket-roll and all other articles of luggage required for field service which are ordinari] y transported in the knapsack; and my invention consists in a yoke, preferably of elliptical form, which may be worn diagonally across the body from the left shoulder to right hip and to which all the foot-soldiers equipment may be readily attached by strapping or in a similar or equivalent manner. The pack when made up is secured in place by suitable straps or bands, the ends resting at or near the hip.

My invention further consists in the general construction of a device having the abovementioned objects in view, as will be hereinafter pointed out in the claims, being first fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective View of the support complete, but with the roll removed; and Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the manner of using the device.

A represents the yoke or frame of my improved blanket-roll support, which is constructed, preferably, of a piece of wood bent to oval shape, the same being, when shaped, of suflicient length to reach from one shoulder diagonally across the body and slightly below the opposite hip and of width or diameter sufficent to avoid contact with either the chest or the back of the wearer.

The wooden strip forming the yoke is preferably made to taper slightly in width and thickness from the middle to each end. This yoke is provided with roll-straps B, attached in any suitable manner to the frame and adapted to be buckled over and hold the blanket-roll around the outside.

0 is a shoulder-strap, which is attached at c to the yoke and which is made adjustable at one end, so that it may suspend the blanketsupport slightly above the shoulder over which it is passed.

D represents a steadying-strap, which is adapted to the lower end of the yoke and is provided with ahook D, which may enter the cartridge-belt or other article on the body of the wearer.

E represents lacing-strings, which are designed for the purpose of holding the lower ends of the frame together, and F a spacingbar for holding them apart, the effect of the strings and bar being to hold the ends of the yoke rigidly and to permit them to be adjusted within certain limits for the purpose of adapting the yoke to the person.

G represents a pair of studs about midway between the top and bottom of the frame, and

'to these ends are attached straps 'I for supporting the canteen or haversack, or both, as may be desired. These straps may be slotted to pass over the studs G or they may be fixed in place by said studs, and they extend down to near the lower end of the support, being embraced by the straps B, which hold them in the yoke.

H represents a supplemental shoulder strap or band, which is also secured on the studs G by means of perforations h, and this strap or band passes over the shoulder opposite to that which supports the roll and around the body beneath the other arm. It may be adjusted relatively to the yoke in order to support more or less of the weight of the pack, as may be necessary for the comfort of the wearer. This strap also assists in preventing displacement of the pack when in use.

In using my improved blanket-roll support the blanket is spread and all the articles which are usually placed in the knapsack, including extra ammunition, if desired, are arranged along one edge of the blanket, after which it is rolled, so as to embrace them, the roll being made as small in diameter as practicable. around the outside of the yoke and the straps B buckled around it to hold it in place. The two ends of the roll terminate near the ends of the yoke, and around them are tied the The roll, being thus formed, is laid lacing-strings E for the purpose of preventing the escape of any of the loose articles contained within the roll. If extra ammunition is carried in the roll, it may be carried near the ends and confined by the lacing-strings in such a manner that when it is desired for use the strings may be loosened, when the ammunition will be delivered into the hand.

The blanket-roll constructed as above described affords a convenient means for carrying the blanket and all the articles usually carried in the knapsack. It is supported upon the body in a manner which causes the least possible discomfort to the wearer, avoiding the pressure of straps beneath the arms and the weight on the chest or small of the back, and has many other advantages over the knapsack and other old modes of carrying the necessary equipments of the foot-soldier, besides being readily put on and taken off.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The herein-described blanketroll support, consisting of a yoke formed to surround the body, substantially as shown, and having straps for attaching the blanket-roll, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. The herein-described blanket-roll support, which consists of theyoke bent or formed to surround the body and adapted to rest upon one shoulder and the opposite hip, the rollattaching straps located at intervals along the yoke, and the bracing-strap H, also attached to the frame and adjusted to pass over one shoulder and beneath the opposite arm, substantially in the manner shown and described.

3. The herein-described blanket-roll support, consisting of the flexible yoke bent or formed to surround the body and to be supported upon one shoulder and one hip, substantially as described, and having straps for attaching the roll, and the spacing connection at the lower ends of the yoke, substantially as herein described.

4. The combination of the yoke bent or formed to surround the body diagonally from one shoulder to the opposite hip, the straps on the frame for embracing and holding the blanket-roll, and the steadying-strap 1), connected with the frame near the lower end and adapted for engagement with the belt or other object on the body of the wearer, as and for the purpose explained.

5. The blanket-roll support consistingof the combination of the yoke bent or formed to surround the body and adapted for suspension from the shoulder or shoulders and having straps for embracing and holding the blanketroll, the straps for suspending and embracing the yoke on thebody, and the straps I, attached to the frame and adapted to suspend the haversack or cauteen,substantially in the manner explained.

CHAS. DODGE, JR.

Witnesses:

JOHN LAPHAM AULLIs, CHARLES J UDSON CRANE.

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