The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-08-03
An Adjustable Thimblc.

Mr.. Samuel Vanstone of this city Is he
inventor If an adjustable protecting
rhimble for steam pipes and heating pipes
whele they pass through floors or parti-
tiou-. The cylindrical inner parC Of the
thimble Is provided with n flange and
also with protecting lugs. the cavity OF
be part being adapted to fit the exterior
OF the heating pipe.
Over the end of the inner part OF the
thimb 9 Is passed n loosely fitting outer
pass, which has flange and opposite
open slots which extend from the eud OF
The cylindrical body toward the last
named iiangc, and notchod recesses may
I Q made Ht one side OF the slots, the slots
aud rc;esses being adapted 10 receive
and engage with tie projec ing lugs OF
The inner part, so thtt whenever the
inner part Is passed within the outer
part so that the Iugs will enter the
slots OF tho outer pars. then by turning
tie parts relatively 10 each other. S thtt
The rugs will enter the opposite Dotched
recesses the two parts will be properly
held together, and In order TO change
the length OF the adjustable thimble thus
formed IT. Is only necessary To turn the
parts backward so that the lugs can be
carried into another OF the series of
notched recefses as required.
The improved thinole can be used in
the floor or wall without other fastcu-
ing, so that by the improvements one
adjustable thimble will take the placs of
The several tnimbles wnicn have hereto
: fore been made aud held in stock at a
much greater outlay than With the i'm
proven eat, wherein a single thimble will
10 for tue various lengths required BY
reason OF its adjustabihty.
A New Production.
One of the latest productions OF the
American Screw company Is a screw bolt
70 hold 10 place the tires OF carriages
IN the production OF tire bolts it has been
customary to make the part OF the shank X
3 a xt to the head smooth. The objection
TO this form was that the plain surface
had little holding capacity laterally when
.4nserted IN the WOODEN rim OF a wheel,
Nand another Disadvantage was that the
continual running OF the wheel, with a
! sliRht shrinkage Of the wood. caused u
: jarring movement. which acted TO loosen
The bolt and made a rattling noise
!. The hole bored through the wood for
the bolt becomes gradually enlarged by
I wearing away or upset,ing the fibres OF
4 the wood contiguous to the bolt, this be-
! ing largely due To the vibration OF the
/, wheel In running aud to the rotation OF
the bolt. but with the body of the bolt
futed, there is sufficient engagement
with the wood to prevent or
greatly diminish the tendency to turn.
The new bolt. therefore, has the surface
of its shank intermedi date OF the head. and
the threud. provided with series OF lon
gitudinally arranged ribs aud grooves.
The fluted bolt 10 made by a novel form
the screw thread and the hutings on the
bolt blank.
The blanks are introduced singly be-
tween pair OF reciprocating dies having
rIbs aud grooves. which at one operation
impress the threads and futings Pre-
- - e.. II sIs
,laimed that there was no machinery
which wou d do this work at reason
able cost.
A New screwdrivef.
Mr.. M. j. Bar;lctt Of Chicago, but for.
nerly OF this city. has made several val
unblo improvements In screwdriver at =
ractments. As usually made, the ar
rangcment of the handle and blade is
. continuation OF the blade. The screw
driver can be orerated in the usual way,
and the handle can he changed TO hori-
1ontal position, the axes Of the
handle lying at right angles
with the blade and permitting the
ei1ort expanded into useful work, as the
fejaiive position of the parts is the same
- in the pfmlefs having fixed handles
With this improvement screw NAV be
1nDcTtcd In the u>ual way np to the last
turn or tive. when. IL a1y more leverage
qu ckly swung cross wise OF
lc bade. The blade and bandl,
are made ot metal, and, I'm br e.. The To-
scn,un crnssssf n screwdriyer blade
hasi ,s > uprer end bent at an ang q
Niib the blades axi-. handle part piy.
of.s. at ils cs,tre ., the blaze, and q
spriog-pia arrange TO retriu the axis OF