US554963A - Hitching-post - Google Patents

Description

mL. Tm AP RG PN ST.. .w NT ,.m A d. d o M O m Patented Feb. 18, 1896.

f UNiTnD STATES k-ATnNT @Erica AUGUSTUS N. SPRATT, OF ALPENA, MICHIGAN.

HITCHINe-POST.'

SPECIFICATION forming partj of Letters Patent No. 554,963, dated February 18, 1896.

Application filed January 7, 1895.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, AUeUsrUs N. SPRATT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alpena, in the county of Alpena and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in I-Iitching-Posts; and I do declare the following to be a-full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, .reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in hitching-posts of that class in which the strap, rope or chain is connected with yielding means to overcome any severe shock or injury to the animal that might be caused if the strap or chain were rigidly connected.

It has for its objects, among others, to provide a simple and cheap bitching-post hav. ing provision for preventing noise or pounding as the strap or chain is retracted within the post, and also to prevent moisture or snow from getting inside of the post.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is an elevation of my improved hitching-post with the chain or rope retracted within the post. Fig. 2 is a substantially central vertical section through the same with the chain partly withdrawn. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper end of the post.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to the details of the drawings byletter, A designates a post of any suitable material, in this instance shown as of wood, which may be as fanciful in appearance asmaybe desired, and this post is bored longitudinally to form the chamber AQ which may extend for a greater or less distance within the post. The upper end of the post Serial No. 534,123. (No model.)

is preferably rounded, as seen best in Fig. 3, and over the said upper end of the post is placed a cap B, preferably of metal, rounded upon its upper face so as to the better shed the water or snow, and this cap may be as fanciful as may be desired. It is shown as embracing the upper end of the post A, and the bead b at its lower end rests upon an annular shoulder a on the post, to which latter it is secured in any suitable manner. This cap has a central opening and a depending sleeve or collar BQ which fits within the upper end of the bore of the post, as seen best in Fig. 3.

C is a hollow plug or sleeve fitted within the collar B of the cap, as shown. It may be of rubber or any other suitable material to prevent abrasion and noise, and its upper end is flush with the upper face of the cap and rounded to conform to the curvature thereof.

D is a stout spring having one end fastened within the bore of the post in any suitable manner-as, for instance, as shown in Fig. 2, where it is shown as fastened to the pin E, its other end being secured to the loop F on the lower end of the cable G, preferably of wire, the other end of which passes through the hole in the plug C and is fastened in any suitable manner to the metallic block or fastener G, which has an opening or eye g for the attachment of the chain, rope or strap I-I, the other end of which maybe provided with a snap-hook or other suitable device for the hitching of the animal. The block G is provided with an annular shoulder g', as shown in Fig. 3, against which is held a ring I, preferably of rubber, the under face of which is concave to conform to the curvature of the upper face of the cap, as shown, so that when the block is down against the cap it fits snugly so as to exclude all moisture or snow, and thus protect the parts within the post.

J is a stop-collar on the cable G to limit the extension of the spring, and this stop may be adjusted upon the cable to regulate the tension of the spring as may be necessary.

It is deemed important that the outer diameter of the rubberring be greater than that of the plug and sleeve and its inner diameter less than that of the plug, as shown, so that the metal of the cap and block will not contact with each other and there is less liability to rust. The rubber plug Within the sleeve is also important, as it prevents the line or rope from coming in contact with the metal, especially at the points where it would otherwise bear upon the edges of the opening in the cap, and the rope is thus prevented from wearing, and when the plug becomes Worn it can be readily removed and replaced by another.

Vith the parts constructed and arranged substantially as above specified, the operation will be apparent, and, briefiy stated, is as follows: The chain or analogous means being attached to the animal by the snap-hook or other device, the animal pulling or working on the line in any direction Will cause the line or cable G to be drawn from the post A, as shown in Fig. 2, thus extending the retractible spring D, which, as it is extended, becomes stiffer, and thus causes an increased resistance to the pull of the animal until the collar J comes in contact with the plug C, thus preventing further extension and breaking of the spring. As soon as the animal ceases to pull or the strain is removed the spring causes the cable to be drawn into the post until the attachment G' with its ring comes in contact with the upper face of the cap. This eifectually closes the opening in the top of the post and excludes the snow or rain. rlhe rubber plug and the ring upon the attachment G will prevent any noise or pounding as the cable is retracted within the post. The spring is shown as partly extended in Fig. f3.

The eheapness and durability of the post will recommend it to those having need for such a device, and the operating parts being coniined within the post and protected from theweather there is no danger of the same becoming inoperative from such cause.

A post constructed as above described is such that a eribbing horse cannot crib at the post, for as soon as the animal puts his teeth on the cap against the block and presses the block it immediately turns over sidewise as the spring within the post gives way and there is no pressure or resistance and the horse must go elsewhere to crib.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new isl. The improved bitching-post herein described, comprising the chambered post having rounded upper end, the cap secured to the upper end of the post and embracing the same and having rounded upper end resting on the rounded upper end of the post and formed with an integral sleeve depending within the bore of the post, the rubber plug held within said sleeve, the spring having one end secured within the post, aline secured to the other end of said spring, a block secured to the outer end of said line, and having an annular shoulder and reduced portion, aline attached to said block and arubber ring fitted around the reduced portion oi' the block and bearing against said shoulder, all substantially as shown and described.

2. The improved bitching-pest herein dcscribed, comprising the chambered post having rounded upper end, the cap secured to the upper end of the post and embracing the same and having rounded upper face resting on the rounded end of the post and formed with an integral sleeve depending within and litting the bore of the post, the rubber plug held within said depending sleeve, the spring having one end secured within the post, a line secured to the otherend of said spring, a block secured to the outer end of said line and having an annular shoulder and reduced portion, a line attached to said block and a rubber ring fitted around the reduced portion of the block and bearing against said shoulder and concaved on its under iace and extended outward beyond said shoulder whereby the direct contact of metal with metal is prevented, substantially as and for the purpose speciiied.

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

AUGUSTUS N. SPRA'V. lVtnesses:

FRANK HUNrnnss, E. E. Tumi.

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