MENTS IN MINERS' AND OTHER PICKS, AND IN DRILLS USED IN BORING HOLES FOR BLASTING
Year: 1878

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to Henry Fisher, Thomas Twigger, and Edward Ross, all of
IMPROVE-
tho Clifton Colliery, Limited, Nottingham, for the Invention of
MENTS IN MINERS' AND OTHER PICKS, AND IN DRILLS USED IN BORING HOLES
FOR BLASTING"
Sealed the 22nd November 1878, and dated the 12th June 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Fisher, Thomas
Twigger, and Edward Ross at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 12th June 1878.
HENRY FISHER, THOMAS TWIGGER, and EDWARD Ross, all of the Clifton Colliery,
Limited, Nottingham. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MINERS' AND OTHER PICKS, AND IN
DRILLS USED IN BORING HOLES FOR BLASTING."
At the present time miners' picks are ordinarily formed of a double-ended blade
with a wooden handle secured to it at the centre. As the points at the end of the
blade become blunted the blade is replaced by another with sharp points. Attempts
have also been made to form the blades with removable points, but hitherto with
but little advantage.
According to this Invention we form removeable points with tapered stems to
enter corresponding sockets in the ends of that portion of the blade to which the
handle is attached. The taper of the stems and sockets is such that the points hold
fast in the sockets and require no fastening.
In order that when a point becomes blunted it may be removed and replaced by
a sharp point a cross slot is formed at the base of each socket to allow of a drift
being driven in behind the stem of the point and the point thus driven out of its
Bocket.
:-That
The advantages to be gained by this form of pick over others in use are:-
the first cost for the number of points will be less; that the points only will have
to be taken to and fro from the place of work for sharpening; and that a workman
can have any number of sharp points by him when at work.

page_text: Picks used for other purposes, and drills used in boring holes for blasting, can be
formed in the same manner with removeable points or ends that require no fastening
to hold them in place when at work, and yet can readily be taken out and replaced
whenever desired.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Fisher, Thomas Twigger, and Edward Ross in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 12th December 1878.
HENRY FISHER, THOMAS TWIGGER, and EDWARD ROSS, all of the Clifton Colliery,
Limited, Nottingham. IMPROVEMENTS IN MINERS' AND OTHER PICKS, AND IN
DRILLS USED IN BORING HOLES FOR BLASTING."
At the present time miners' picks are ordinarily formed of a double-ended blade
with a wooden handle secured to it at the centre. As the points at the end of the
blade become blunted the blade is replaced by another with sharp points. Attempts
have also been made to form the blades with removeable points, but hitherto with
but little advantage.
According to this Invention we form removeable points with tapered stems to
enter corresponding sockets in the ends of that portion of the blade to which the
handle is attached. The taper of the stems and sockets is such that the points hold
fast in the sockets and require no fastening.
In order that when a point becomes blunted it may be removed and replaced by
a sharp point a cross slot is formed at the base of each socket to allow of a drift
being driven in behind the stem of the point and the point thus driven out of its
socket.
The advantages to be gained by this form of pick over others in use are:-That
the first cost for the number of points will be less; that the points only will have
to be taken to and fro from the place of work for sharpening; and that a workman
can have any number of sharp points by him when at work.
Picks used for other purposes, and drills used in boring holes for blasting, can be
formed in the same manner with removeable points or ends that require no fastening
to hold them in place when at work, and yet can readily be taken out and replaced
whenever desired.
Figures 1 and 2 show views of a miner's pick constructed according to our
Invention. Figure 1 shows a side view and Figure 2 an end view.
A is the handle; B, the blade; C, the eye in which the handle is fastened; D
shows a removeable point inserted into a socket at one end of the blade ready for
use; E shows a point withdrawn from the socket at the opposite end of the blade;
F shows the tapered stem of the point. As before stated, the taper of the stem
and its length are such that the point will hold fast in the socket and require no
further fastening. The best proportions for the stem are that it should be of a

page_text: length of from four to five times its greatest breadth, and that the opposite sides of
the stem should be at an angle of from two to three degrees to each other.
In the example shown at Figures 1 and 2 the stem and the socket which receives
it are rectangular in cross section to prevent the point from turning. G shows the
slots in the blade through which the drift is driven to force the point out of the
socket. Figure 3 shows a drift suitable for being used for this purpose.
Figure 4 shows another form of pick used by miners and others, similarly
furnished with a removeable point which will hold fast in the tapered socket which
receives its stem without further fastening; the point is shown inserted into the
socket of the blade ready for use.
Figure 5 shows an under side view of the blade of the pick shown at Figure 4.
The points or ends of miners' drills can be made with stems of the same form as
the stems shown at Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and be similarly held in. a socket at
the end of a drill handle.
Figures 6, 7, and 8 show another method in which our Invention can be carried
out. The method is shown as applied to a miner's drill, but it might also be applied
to picks.
Figure 6 shows the handle A. of the drill and the point B withdrawn from the
socket at the end of the handle; Figure 7 shows another view of the same taken
at right angles to Figure 6.
Figure 8 shows the drill point B inserted into the socket of the handle A ready
for use.
C, in Figures 6 and 7, shows the tapered stem of the point; D, in Figures 6, 7,
and 8, shows the slot through which the drift is driven to force the point out of
the socket. The stem and socket are in this case circular in cross section, and at
the end of the stem is a flattened portion E to enter and fit within the slot D, as
shown at Figure 8, so as to prevent the point from turning.
Picks and miners' drills of various shapes, sizes, and weights suitable for different
kinds of work may be formed in the manner herein-before described with remove-
able points or ends that will hold fast in sockets formed to receive them without
requiring any other fastening, and yet be capable of removal from the sockets by
the driving in of a drift behind them as before explained.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, we would have it understood that we claim,―
First. The construction of miners' and other picks and drills used for boring holes
for blasting with removeable points or ends, which are self-fastening in sockets that
receive them by reason of the length and taper given to the stems of the points or
ends and to the corresponding sockets, substantially as herein-before described.
Second. The method of carrying out our Invention, substantially as herein-before
described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the Drawings annexed.
Third. The method of carrying out our Invention, substantially as herein-before
described with reference to Figures 6, 7, and 8 of the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Fisher, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Eleventh day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
HENRY FISHER. (L.B.)