Spring Saddle
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE
MOSES BALDWIN, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO
SPRING-SADDLE
Specification of Letters Patent No. 186, dated April 29, 1837.
To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, MOSES BALDWIN, of the city of Cincinnati, county of Hamilton, and State of Ohio, have invented a new Improvement on Spring-Saddles for the Care and Safety of Both the Rider and Horse; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description of the said improvement.
My invention of the improvement referred to, consists in providing a forecrook and cantle with serpentine and spiral springs, which give motion to the seat and girths of the saddle at the same time, without interfering with the bars. The bars support the springs, and rest permanently on the horse. The serpentine springs are on extensions of the posterior spiral springs toward the forecrook, and form stirrup bars, that will release the rider in case of accidents. I add two webs termed thigh webs, to the number in former use, to support the rider above all hard substances. The thigh webs, also lessen the pressure upon the others, or seat webs. The two bars are made separate from the forecrook and cantle, and are coupled by a plate which answers for a crupper loop, and pivots for the spiral and serpentine springs. This plate being placed above the bars and before the cantle for the safety of the horse. The saddle is of the usual form, but from the manner of constructing it, it is strengthened (not weakened) by the weight of the rider.
To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my improvement, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.
1st I construct my forecrook (see drawing No.1) in any of the known forms, with the addition however, of notches and pivots and the placing the plates of the forecrook upon the edge, to receive the bar, stirrup bars, and front spiral springs (see No.7). 2nd, The bars, (see No.2,) are made separate with notches and pivots in the upper edges, to support the spiral springs that brace the forecrook; and a piece of each spiral spring is continued over the bars, and serves as a spring to each stirrup bar, as the latter pass from the forecrook and are made fast to the bars. The plate with which I connect the bars is made of wire hammered in a cold state, and the holes are made with a drill. The plate is secured or fastened to the bars by rivets and burs. 3rd I construct my cantle, (No, 3,) with three notches, one for the crupper and loop, (see No.4) and two for the posterior spiral springs (see No.5,) which serve as bellies for the saddle, and springs for the cantle to act upon. These spiral springs rest upon pivots formed by the coupling plates. My cantle is seated upon the posterior end of the bars and spiral springs, in a moving position, riveted only to the latter.
4th I extend from the posterior, or last named spiral springs, two serpentine springs, one on each side of the saddle, (see No.6,) giving the proper form to secure the girths from below and the drawdowns from above. I add an extra pair of drawdowns for the buckles to receive the straps from those in former use. The serpentine springs are placed between the pad and flaps; and being connected with the stirrup bars, give motion to the forecrook.
What I claim as my improvement and desire to secure by Letters Patent are-
The two thigh webs and an additional pair of drawdowns, also the position of the springs and cantle plate, using for the purpose of making the two latter, (the springs and cantle plate,) iron, steel or brass wire, varying in size to suit the weight of the rider.
The advantages of my improvement over all others in former use, are the ease and security given to both the rider and the horse.
MOSES BALDWIN
Witnesses:
GEORGE HOLT
H. P. GAINES