Holder for Driving-Reins (1899)
U.S. Patent No. 637,811, granted on November 28, 1899, to Albert Mendenhall, describes a durable, spring-actuated clamping device engineered to mount directly onto the dashboard (dasher) of a carriage or buggy. Albert Mendenhall, an inventor based in Oskaloosa, Iowa, developed the mechanism to secure leather harness lines instantly and reliably while operating horse-drawn vehicles.
This invention solved an everyday, hazard-prone challenge in 19th-century transit: driving reins sliding off the dasher, dropping beneath the carriage, becoming tangled in wheels, or being trampled under horse hooves—frequently leading to loss of vehicle control, damaged gear, or severe runaway accidents.
The Innovation: The Adjustable Spring Clamp
Mendenhall designed a self-retaining, one-handed clamping assembly that can be adapted to leather reins of varying widths and thicknesses, maintaining firm, continuous pressure without permanently altering the carriage body.
- Universal Dasher MountThe foundation is a slotted frame body (A) designed to sit astride the top edge of a standard buggy dasher. Lower set-screws (b) thread inward to rigidly lock the frame in place, allowing the unit to be mounted or removed without specialized tools or carriage modifications.
- Spring-Tensioned Gripping JawPositioned above the inclined top face of the frame is a pivotal clamp (D). Tension is supplied by a coiled spring (m) mounted over a screw-bolt assembly (f, h), continually forcing the clamp down against the frame to pinch and hold the leather lines firmly.
- Variable Clearance and Tension ControlBecause commercial harness lines varied in cut and wear, Mendenhall engineered two critical adjustments:
- Thickness Adjustment: The vertical extension (C) features an elongated slot (g) that allows the pivot bolt (f) to be raised or lowered, resetting the baseline clearance between the clamp (D) and frame (A).
- Tension Regulation: The outer tail of spring (m) inserts into one of a series of drilled holes (n) in vertical extension (C). Relocating the spring end between these holes increases or decreases downward clamping force.
How the Apparatus Functions
The device allows a driver to secure or release lines with a single fluid hand motion while seated:
| Step | Action | Practical Purpose |
| 1. Mounting | Frame body (A) is seated over the buggy dasher edge and locked with set-screws (b). | Anchors the unit securely within driver reach without damaging the dashboard. |
| 2. Calibrating | Pivot bolt (f) is aligned in slot (g) to rein thickness; spring (m) is pegged to tension hole (n). | Ensures sufficient clamping bite without crushing thick leather or letting thin straps slip. |
| 3. Insertion | Reins are pushed inward against inclined guide (A’). | Funnels the strap under clamp (D), lifting it against spring tension with one hand. |
| 4. Securing | Clamp (D) snaps flush against the strap, restricted by stop pin (o). | Holds the lines taut, preventing them from vibrating loose over rough roads. |
| 5. Quick Release | Driver tugs reins upward and back along the inclined face. | Frees lines instantly for immediate team handling in transit. |
Technical Components
- Body Frame (A): The primary structural casting, featuring an open longitudinal channel in its base to straddle the dasher rail.
- Inclined Guide (A’): An angled forward lip extending from the frame to direct reins smoothly beneath the clamping jaw.
- Vertical Extension (C): An upright bracket supporting the pivot assembly, complete with vertical adjustment slot (g) and multiple spring-tension holes (n).
- Stop Projection (o): An integral lug on the inside face of upright (C) that restricts over-travel of clamp (D).
- Clamping Jaw (D): The spring-biased lever arm, shaped with an extension (D’) engaged by spring (m).
- Fastening Assembly (b, f, f’, h): Lower set-screws (b) secure the dasher mount; bolt (f), round nut (h), and clamp nut (f’) establish the pivotal, height-adjustable axle.
Historical and Practical Impact
During the late horse-drawn era, dashboard rein clips were vital safety accessories for rural mail carriers, farmers, livery services, and urban delivery wagons.
- Accident Prevention: Unattended reins dropped between horse heels were a primary trigger for vehicle bolting. Mendenhall’s clamp provided a secure resting post whenever the driver dismounted to open gates, handle cargo, or deliver goods.
- Component Longevity: By replacing makeshift metal teeth with an adjustable, smooth-profile spring clamp, it eliminated excessive leather chafing and cut down harness replacement costs.
- Adaptability: The integration of slot (g) and multi-hole spring adjustment (n) made it a universal aftermarket tool suitable for both light single-horse buggies and heavy multi-ply team reins.
About the Inventor: Albert Mendenhall
Albert Mendenhall was an inventor operating out of Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa, during a peak era of midwestern implement manufacturing and transportation innovation. His design demonstrated practical mechanical problem-solving by refining daily transportation hardware into reliable, easily manufactured equipment.
Summary of Claims
The patent explicitly claims:
- A dasher-mounted rein holder featuring a slotted frame body, an inclined guide lip (A’), an upright extension (C) with an elongated slot and stop (o), a pivotally attached clamp (D), and an actuating spring.
- An adjustable bolt (f) and nut (f’, h) assembly traversing slot (g) to alter clamping distance for differing strap thicknesses.
- The combination of an adjustable coil spring (m) anchored across selective frame holes (n) to calibrate holding pressure on the reins.
