US3623294A

US3623294A - Bits

Info

Publication number: US3623294A
Application number: US886423A
Authority: US
Inventors: William Thomas Stone; Lascelles Arthur Lucas
Original assignee: Matthew & Co Ltd Harvey
Current assignee: Matthew Harvey and Co Ltd
Priority date: 1968-12-18
Filing date: 1969-12-18
Publication date: 1971-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 1988-11-30
Also published as: GB1253849A

Abstract

A BIT FOR ANIMALS IS PROVIDED WITH A MOUTH-PIECE HAVING RIGID END PORTIONS CONNECTED TOGETHER FOR RESTRICTED RELATIVE ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT, AND A RESILIENT RESTORING MEANS WHICH URGES THE END MEMBERS TO ASSUME A PREDETERMINED ANGULAR RELATIONSHIP. THE RELATIVE DEFLECTION OF THE END

MEMBERS MAY BE RESTRICTED SUBSTANTIALLY TO A SINGLE PLANE, OR TO A PREDETERMINED RANGE OF ANGULAR DEFLECTION.

Description

Nov. 30, 1971 W, T, STONE ETAL BITS Filed Dec. 18, 1969 lll H @L 42 l5 la7/1v (ft `Xd.

mg 25 l5 United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 54-8 13 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A bit for animals is provided with a mouth-piece having rigid end portions connected together for restricted relative angular displacement, and a resilient restoring means which urges the end members to assume a predetermined angular relationship. The relative deflection of the end members may be restricted substantially to a single plane, or to a predetermined range of angular deflection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention This invention relates to bits for use in riding or driving horses or other animals, and of the kind having an elongated bar-like mouth-piece for placing in the mouth of the animal, and attachment means at opposite ends for attaching a bridle to the bit.

(2) Description of the prior art `Conventional forms of bit at present in use fall broadly into three types In the rst of these the mouth-piece is of rigid form throughout its length. In the second typethe mouth-piece is formed of two portions which are pivotally connected together in the mid region of the mouth-piece for movement about a pivotal axis, that is to `say in a single plane. In the third type, the mouth-piece is formed of a length of rubber, `and is thus capable of elastic bending or deflection in a plurality of modes.

These `are various disadvantages in each of these three types of conventional mouth-piece. In particular, a bit with a rigid mouth-piece when utilized by an inexperienced rider or driver can cause pain or even injury to the mouth of the animal, because it is incapable of undergoing any bending or deflection to absorb any violent, possibly inadvertent, pull at one end, or at both ends by the bridle.

The Isecond type of bit when subjected to a pull at both ends can exert a squeezing or nut-cracker action on the horses mouth, and again can lead to pain or injury, especially when used by an inexperienced rider or driver. The third type of bit provides an undesirable degree of freedom as to the form into which the mouth-piece can be bent or deflected, and control of the animals action intended to be exercised by the rider or driver can be impaired as a result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a new or improved form of bit which is better adapted to meet the requirements of use than those hitherto available and in particular is intended to be advantageous to the unskillful or inexperienced rider, in that it will avoid or minimize risk of pain or injury to the animals mouth, whilst allowing the rider or driver to maintain satisfactory control over the actions of the animal.

According to the invention, we provide a bit for animals which comprises an alongated mouth-piece provided at opposite ends with respective attachment means for 3,623,294 Patented Nov. 30, 1971 ICC attaching a bridle thereto, wherein the mouth-piece includes end portions of rigid form having respective lony gitudinally extending reference axes, means for ilexibly connecting said end portions together at their inner ends, means for limiting relative angular displacement of said end portions to a predetermined range of angular relation of said reference axes which extends from .a co-linear relation to an obtuse angled relation, and means engaged with both of said end portions for defining a datum position in which said reference axe-s have a predetermined angular relation within said range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION iOF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a view infront elevation of a bit according to the invention, a helical spring and a flexible cover being shown in disasembled relation to the remainder of the bit for clarity,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bit shown in FIG. 17 the iiexible cover being omitted for clarity and the end portions being shown at the limit of a predetermined range of relative angular displacement,

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a second embodiment of the invention, only a central portion of the bit being shown,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a third embodiment, only a central portion of the bit being shown, and the helical `spring being omitted,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of a fourth embodiment, only a central portion of the bit being shown and the helical spring being omitted,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of a fifth embodiment, only a central portion of the bit being shown and the helical spring being omitted, and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of a sixth embodiment, only a central portion of the bit being shown and the helical spring being omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION lReferring firstly to the first embodiment which is shown in FIGS. l and 2, the bit comprises an elongated mouthpiece indicated generally at 10, and provided at opposite ends with respective attachment means in the form of ring-s 11 to which loops at the end of a bridle may be attached Each of the rings is mounted for swivelling movement about a vertical axis, as seen in FIG. l,`in a boss 12 at the adjacent end of the mouth-piece. The boss may thus include a vertical bore through which extends a spindle portion integral with the ring concerned, the latter being of enlarged diameter at opposite ends of the spindle portion to provide shoulders or abutments engaging opposite ends of the boss 12.

The mouth-piece includes two identical end portions 13. Each of these end portions incorporates a rod-like section 14 which may be of circular or approximately circular ishape in cross section integrally connected to the associated boss 12, and of arcuate form presenting the concave side rearwardly, that is to say towards the mouth of the horse or other animal in which the bit is to be used.

At their inner ends, the end portions 13 are formed with spigots 15 of reduced radius in comparison with the rodlike portion 14, preferably by an amount equal to the radial thickness of a coil spring hereinafter mentioned. The inner extremities of the spigots 15 are cut away to provide at plate-like lugs 16. The lugs 16 are apertured and are flexibly connected together by means in the form of a link element consisting of two plate-like members 17 disposed above and below the lugs 16 respectively and pivotally secured thereto by rivets or other pin-like elements 18 extending through the link members, and through the apertures of the lugs. A particularly suitable form of link element is constituted by a link of bicycle chain.

Enveloping the spig-ots 15 and the link element is a helically coiled compression spring 19, which preferably has a cross sectional profile substantially matching the cross sectional prolile presented by the rod-like sections 14 of the end portions, so that the outer surface of the spring 19 is ilush, or approximately flush with the outer surfaces of the rod-like sectoins 14.

The natural length of the spring 19 is greater than the distance between abutment faces 20 presented inwardly by the end portions 13 at the inner ends of the rod like sections 14. Thus, the spring is subjected to axial compression when in assembled relation with the end portions. The length of the spring 419 when in a fully compressed condition is slightly less than the distance which separates the abutment faces 20 when the latter are parallel to one another, as shown in FIG. l.

The spigots 15, lugs 16, and link element provide an articulated connection between the end portions 13 which permits of relative articulation thereof in a lirst plane parallel to that in which the longitudinally extending axes of the end porions, 26 and 27 respectively, lie. When in use, this plane will normally be inclined t-o the horizontal according to the attitude presented by the mouth of the horse or other animal, and will be generally at right angles to the swivelling axis presented by the bosses 12 for the spindles of the rings 11.

The mouth-piece further includes an outer covering in the form of an outer sleeve 28 of a material which is tough and flexible, preferably resiliently so, such as rubber or nylon. This outer sleeve covers at least the spring 19, and preferably also covers the rod-like sections 14.

The spring 19 acts to limit the relative angular displacement of the end portions 13 to a predetermined range of angular relation of their

respective reference axes

26 and 27 which extends from a co-linear relation to an obtuse angled relation. The range of permitted angular displacement is selected to provide that the end portions cannot be deflected sufciently to inllict pain on, or cause injury to, an animal with which the bit is to be used by a nut-cracker action.

The length of the spring 19 when in ya fully compressed condition is equal to the distance which separates the closest respective portions of said inwardly presented abutment faces 20, when the end portions are displaced to the limit of this predetermined range of relative angular displacement. Relative angular displacement of the end prtions causes the mouth-piece as a whole to assume a curved form and portions of the abutment faces 20 which are disposed at the inner side of such curve approach one another.

As the limit of the permitted range of angular displacement, the individual coils of the spring 19 abut one another at the inner side of such curve and the ends of the spring abut respective ones of the abutment faces 20. It will be noted that the spigots 15, lugs 16 and link element provide an inextensible connection so that angular displacement of the end portions beyond the limits of the predetermined range is prevented.

The spring 19 also acts to define a datum position of the end portions. The strength of the spring is such that by engagement with the abutment faces 20 and possibly supplemented by engagement with the spigots it will restore the end portions 13 to a datum position relative to one another when no pull is exerted by the bridle on the rings 11. In this datum position the

axes

26 and 27 of the end portions have a predetermined angular relation which is preferably an obtuse angled relation. However the relation Iof these axes in the datum position may be any convenient angle within a range from a colinear relation to an obtuse angled relation.

The spring 19 may be arranged in an alternative manner to act upon the end portions to deiine a datum position thereof. Thus the spring may lit closely over the spigots 15 4 and the adjacent coils thereof may be contiguous with one another. Simultaneous engagement of the spring with both of the abutment faces 20 would occur only at the limit of the predetermined range of angular `displacement of the end portions 13.

The restoring force would be applied by the spring 19 to the spigots 15 instead of to the abutment faces 20.

It will be noted that the form of the lugs 16 and the link element is such that relative angular displacement of the end portions in a second plane which extends generally lengthwise of the mouthpiece, but perpendicularly of said first plane is substantially prevented.

Referring now to the alternative constructions illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, components corresponding to those already described are designated by like numerals of reference and the preceding description is to be deemed to apply.

Thus, it will be noted that each of these further embodiments includes a mouth-piece having end portions with rod-like sections 14 flexibly connected together at their inner ends. Each embodiment further includes a helically coiled spring 19 which encloses the means connecting the end portions and engages respective abutment faces 20 on the end portions. Each embodiment may further include an outer covering as described relative t-o the first embodiment.

lEach of the second, third and fourth embodiments, which are illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 respectively, further includes spigots 15a, 15b and 15c respectively, which extend from the inner ends of the rod-like sections 14 and are apertured at their free ends. In the second embodiment the spigots 15a are interconnected by a pair of the ring-like links 21, each link passing through the aperture in a respective one of the spigots and also through the other link. This arrangement intrinsically provides freedom for relative movement of the end portions in any direction. Limitation of the amount of such displacement is achieved by virtue of the fact that the two spigots and the links 21 form an inextensible connection, whilst the spring 19 can act in the manner previously described to limit the approach of the closest portions of the abutment faces 20.

In the third embodiment, which is illustrated in FIG. 4, the apertured spigots 15b are coupled directly to one another, a terminal portion 22 of each spigot 15a passing through the aperture formed in the other spigot. This form of ilexible connecting means also intrinsically provides freedom for relative angular displacement of the end portions in any direction.

In the fourth embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, the spigots 15e are coupled by a single plate-like link 23, this form of flexible connecting means also provides for relative angular displacement of the end portions in all directions. Such deflection is limited to a predetermined range by the spring 19 co-acting with the abutment faces 20 as previously described.

In the fifth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 the means for flexibility connecting the end portions is formed by a plurality of links which are connected with one another by a plurality of parallel rivets or other pin-like elements. The spigots 15d are slotted to receive single plate links 24 which in turn are connected by a double plate link 25. As is the case in the first embodiment, these links provide freedom for articulation of the end portions in a first plane extending generally lengthwise of the mouthpiece, but substantially prevent relative angular displacement of the end portions in a second plane extending generally lengthwise of the mouthpiece, but perpendicularly of said first plane.

In FIG. 7 there is illustrated a modification of the first embodiment, wherein the spigots 16e have inwardly presented opposed end faces which are spaced slightly apart. The link element which consist of link members 17 disposed one above and one below the lugs 16e, and pivotally secured thereto, acts effectively along a line within the peripheral boundaries of said end faces. Since the link element is inextensible, the end faces abut at one side of said line when the end portions are displaced angularly relative to one another. The end faces thus act t limit the relative angular displacement of the end portions and the spacing between the end faces is selected to provide for a predetermined range of angular dlsplacement such that pain or injury cannot be caused by the bit to the horse or other animal by a nut-cracker action as aforementioned.

It will be appreciated that in the constructions illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, some slight degree of relative angular displacement of the end portions in said second plane will be possible due to clearances and tolerances in the pivotal connections between the links and the spigots.

We claim:

1. In a bit for animals, which comprises an elongated mouth-piece provided at opposite ends with respective attachment means for attaching a bridle thereto, the improvement wherein the mouth-piece includes:

(a) end portions of rigid form having respective longitudinally extending reference axes,

(b) means for flexibly connecting said end portions together at their inner ends, providing for relative angular displacement of the end portions,

(c) means co-operative with both said end portions for setting same in a datum position in which said reference axes have a predetermined angular relation in a range bounded by a co-linear relation and an 0btuse angled relation,

(d) means for limiting said relative angular displacement of said end portions from said datumposition to a value such that the included angle between the reference axes is always obtuse.

2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein `said means for ilexibly connecting said end portions is in the form of articulation means for providing freedom for relative angular displacement of said end portions in a rst plane which extends generally length wise of the mouth-piece and for substantially preventing their relative angular displacement in a second plane also extending generally length wise of the mouth-piece, but perpendicularly of said first plane.

3. The improvements according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said means for flexibly connecting said end portions is inextensible,

(b) said means for defining a datum position is in the form of a helical spring disposed about the means for connecting the end portions together,

(c) said end portions are formed with inwardly presented abutment faces engageable by respective ends of the helical spring and (d) the length of said spring when in a fully compressed condition is equal to the distance which separates closest respective portions of said inwardly presented abutment faces when the end portions are displaced to the limit of said predetermined range of relative angular displacement.

4. The improvement according to claim 3 wherein the helical compression spring has a cross sectional profile substantially matching the cross sectional prole presented by the rigid end portions at respective positions adjacent the ends of the spring.

S. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein the mouth-piece further comprises an outer cover of tough flexible material which encloses at least said means for defining a datum position.

6. The improvement according to claim 2 wherein when the end portions occupy said datum position:

(a) said axes intersect'at an obtuse angle, and

(b) said axes both lie in said rst plane.

7. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said end portions have spaced inwardly presented opposed end faces,

(b) said means for flexibly connecting said end portions acts along a line within the peripheral boundaries of said end faces, and is inextensible, and

(c) the spacing between said end faces is such that the faces abut at one side of said line when the end portions are displaced to the limit of said predetermined range of relative angular displacement, said end faces thereby acting as said means for limiting such relative angular displacement.

8. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said means for flexibly connecting said end portions provides freedom for relative angular movement of the end portions in all directions.

9. The improvement according to claim 8 wherein the means for flexibly connecting the end portions includes rigid spigots provided on the respective inner ends of said end portions and having respective apertures at their free ends.

10. The improvement according to claim 9 wherein the spigots are coupled directly to each other.

11. The improvement according to claim 9 wherein the spigots are coupled together by a single link.

12. The improvement according to claim 9 wherein the spigots are coupled by a plurality of links.

13. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein the mouth-piece is an elongate and generally rod-like structure having dimensions transverse to its length which remain substantially unchanged throughout said relative angular displacement of the end portions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 804,700 11/ 1905 Bethe 54-7 1,368,704 2/ 1921 De La Mota 54--8 774,097 11/ 1904 Melleby 54-7 1,476,999 12/ 1923 Oelkers 54-7 1,632,589 6/ 1927 Bristol 54-7 HUGH R. CHAMBLEE, Primary Examiner