US9605A - Construction of currycombs - Google Patents

Description

w. WHEELER.

Curry Comb.

No. 9,605. Patented March 1, 1853.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM WHEELER, OF TROY, NEW YORK.

CONSTRUCTION OF CURRYCOMBS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 9,605, dated March 1, 1853.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM \VHEELER, of Troy, in the county of Rensselaer and State of New York, have made a certain new and useful Improvement in Currycombs; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the comb in hand as used. Fig. 2 is a top View, and Fig. 3 an end view of the same, the same letters having reference to like parts in all the figures.

The nature of my invention consists in the forming in place of the usually adapted. handle, a ring A, projecting from the back of the comb, for the thumb to rest in, as seen in the drawing.

It is customary with those skilled in the use of currycombs to spread the hand upon the back of the comb, with the thumb eX- tended under the handle and lying against the back bar of the comb; thus the comb is vibrated with a right and left motion upon the coat of the horse, the hand having its motion from the Wrist. As this is found the most easy and expeditious mode of Working the comb rather than grasp the handle, and bring the whole arm or that part below the elbow into action it has become the prevalent mode of hole ing the comb when operating it.

The manner above described of holding a curry comb with a handle of the usual kind is an inconvenient mode; and also the thumb being under the handle, necessarily raises the back bars or teeth from the coat of the horse, while only some two or three of the front bars are made elfective; consequently often irritating the horse, and wearing the front bars of the comb out, while it leaves the back bars comparatively unworn, thereby rendering it less valuable than when all of the teeth are brought equally into service.

It will be readily seen that in my arrangement of a ring or loop for the placing of the thumb as represented in the drawing formed and extending from the back it allows the whole surface of the teeth to bear alike upon the coat of the horse, and at the same time the hand has an equal and convenient bearing upon the comb, and is firmly held, the thumb occupying the space usually taken up by the handle, and having full control of the comb.

It will thus be seen that my improvement renders the currycomb more effective and convenient in use, while it is rendered cheaper in its construction than in the usual manner of constructing and employing a handle. This currycomb is not only cheaper than that in common use where the handle is of wood requiring a socket, but is much more durable, not only from the liability, in that case, of the handle to break, but from the fact that in the common currycomb the teeth are generally entirely worn off on one side before the other side is much worn. From the manner of applying the force of the hand in the common one, the pressure upon the horse is uncertain and variable and the horse is often bruised and injured. With my improvement these liabilities do not exist. It is obvious that the ring or loop may be varied in form, while the desired result is attained; for example, a similar ring may be formed extending from the ends of the comb, or end pieces B, B, and uniting in the center at the back of the comb, or other analogous modes, but the ring should in each instance be made whole or continuous with the back strap A, that is the back strap and ring must be formed of one piece of metal, for the sake of economy and strength.

Iaving thus described the nature of my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The application of a ring, loop, or fixture on currycombs, for the insertion of the thumb as a guard and rest therefor, the ring or loop being made in one piece with the back strap as set forth.

WILLIAM WHEELER.

Witnesses:

E. BELL, R. CRUIKSHANK.

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