US548781A

US548781A - Toe-weight

Info

Publication number: US548781A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1895-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 1912-10-29

Description

(No Model.)

J. H. LANE. V

TOE WEIGHT.

No. 548,781. Patent-ed 001;. 29, 1895.

, UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

JAMES H. LANE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TOE-WEIG HT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 548,781, dated October 29, 1895.

Application filed March 26, 1895. Serial No. 543,217- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. LANE, of Chicago, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toe-Weights for I Horses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of devices which are employed to accelerate the speed of trotting-horses by weighting the toe of the hoof, so that as the foot is thrown forward the weight will tend to carry it beyond the position it would reach if not weighted. Devices of this character have been before employed; but many objections to them have existed, the chief one be ing the liability of the parts to accidental separation, it having been usual to make the device in two partsnamely, a base whichis secured to the hoof and a weight portion whichis removed except when the animal is not racing.

The object of my invention is to construct toe-weights so that there is no likelihood of the removable part becoming lost when in use.

To this end my invention consists in the devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described, but particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective View showing the device applied to the hoof, the weight portion being in section. Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views, respectively, of the hoof portion or base and of a cap which is used in connection with the base to protect a threaded stud thereon when the weights are removed. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the weight itself.

In the drawings, Fig. 2, A represents a metal plate, preferably slightly curved to conform to the shape of the hoof, and which is adapted to be secured thereto by means of screwsB.

D is a threaded stud formed'integrally with the base A and extending at rightangles to the face thereof and being of sufficient length that when engaged with the threads of the weight E it will hold the latter securely.

The weights E may be made of various sizes orin series, each being in the form of a cap-nut with an internal threaded aperture, the threads of which engage the threads of the stud. By making them in series varying in weight or size they may be readily changed, as desired. The base-plate A has preferably formed therewith an integral rearwardly-extending shank F, which is intended to pass beneath the hoof, the latter being cutaway or channeled to receive it.

The whole structure is applied to the lower portion of the hoof, which is not sensitive, and therefore its application does not inflict pain upon the horse. For the purpose of protecting the threaded stud whenthe weights are removed, I may employ the small threaded cap G. (Shown in Fig. 3.)

The principal utility of my invention consists in the construction whereby the parts cannot become separated by shock. When the threaded weight is turned down tightly against the hoof, there will be such frictional engagement between the hoof and the metal as to prevent the weight unscrewing, and practice has demonstrated that the removable part will not become detached in use and lost. It is well known to horsemen that the accidental casting of the toe-weight when a horse is racing seriously afiects its speed, and it is thereforev of the highest importance with devices of this kind that they should be so made as to prevent these accidents. I make the external portion, preferably, of the weights of such angular form that they may be tightened by the application of a wrench thereto.

I claim- 1 1. In a device of the class described,the combination with a base plate adapted to be secured to the hoof of a horse, a threaded stud extending from the face thereof, and a removable weight having an internal screw threaded aperture adapted to be secured to the stud by screwing it thereon, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a base plate adapted to be secured to the hoof of a horse and provided with an integral rearwardly projecting shank and a forwardly extending threaded stud, and a weight provided with an internal threaded aperture, substantially as described.