An Improved Socket for Miners' Picks.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Oct., 1891-Accepted, 28th Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Socket for Miners' Picks.
FREDERICK WILLOUGHBY 2 Elder Yard Chesterfield Mining Store Keeper do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A socket the outside being slightly curved & tapered to allow a pick to pass
freely over it. In addition to the curved exterior of the socket it has a hollow
interior of such dimensions as to admit an ordinary flat pick & wedge. This wedge
is essential to the security of either of the picks above mentioned & being attached
to the socket by a simple contrivance which allows it to move freely into place or
fall back (as the passing over of the 'drop down pick will require) cannot be lost
or detached from the socket in any way whatever. Down one side only, of the
socket a small grove is cut large enough to permit the wedge falling back therein,
as aforesaid when the pick is passing over to its final position at the extremity of
the socket. This position being attained the wedge may be raised from its grove,
when it will glide into place beneath the pick & after a slight blow the security of
the pick is entirely maintained. This socket is equally adapted for the flat pick
& wedge. The 'drop down pick' being removed by knocking back the wedge and
allowing it to fall into the grove (parallel with the pick shaft) while the pick passes
from its place on the socket and off the shaft-the ordinary flat pick may be inserted
in the socket and wedged into place by the wedge attached thereto, without further
trouble, when the final position and perfect security of this pick will be recognised.
The object and advantages of this socket are (1) that one socket acts for two
kinds of picks viz.: 'drop down' and 'wedge' (2) saves expense as one socket only
is needed where two would be required .e. one for each different pick (3) will spare
the miner both time and trouble as the socket in itself is extremely simple; handy
and compact.
Dated this 21st day of Anril 1801
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Socket for Miners' Picks.
I, FREDERICK WILLOUGHBY 2 Elder Yard, Chesterfield Miners Store Keeper
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention has for its object to enable one socket to suit two kinds of picks,
namely the solid blade," and the "eyed" blade, thus avoiding the necessity of
having two shafts and sockets, and saving the miner trouble and expence.
The invention is illustrated in the sheet of drawings annexed, and similar letters
of reference indicate similar parts in any of the figures.
Fig. 1, represents the socket with an "eyed "blade secured in working position.
Fig. 2, the same socket with a solid blade, part of socket being removed.
Fig. 3, socket with wedge in position to permit the eyed blade to be passed over
it to position shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, edge view of socket, showing the blade recess.
The invention refers particularly to the construction of the metallic socket or
head A, which is attached to the handle or shaft B, and to the arrangement of the
wedge for securing the blades or picks.
The solid blade or flat pick is marked C, and the eyed pick is marked D; both
picks have the points broken off to enable drawings of a large scale to be used,

page_text: The socket or head A, and the wedge W, may be made of any suitable metal, but
I prefer to use malleable cast iron for the head, and steel for the wedge.
I make that part of the socket or head upon which the eyed blade or pick is to
fit and which is marked A', in Fig. 3, of. an oval, or other curved shape, which
corresponds with the eye of the pick, and also tapering longitudinally, so that the
eye of the pick can readily be passed over it. I prepare the top of the socket, upon
each side, with a projection or collar A3, forming a stop or abutment, against which
the sides of the eye will bear when the pick is in position.
Transversely through the upper part of the socket is an opening O, suited
to receive and retain the solid blade or flat pick C, and for the passage of the
wedge W.
Various devices may be employed for giving additional security to the blade such
as the one seen in Fig. 2, which consists of a projection P, formed on the blade, and
a corresponding recess or hole to receive it, made through the crown of the socket ;
this forms a double shoulder for the blade to bear against, to resist the impact of
blow when the pick is in use.
This auxiliary device forms no part of my invention, and other devices may be
substituted.
The wedge W, is essential to the security of either of the beforementioned picks;
it is attached to the socket by a stud or pin S, projecting from each side of the
opening O, which enter longitudinal grooves G, on each side of the wedge W, the
said grooves being closed at either end, which thus prevents the accidental, or
intentional removal of the wedge.
In the side of the socket, and just below the studs or pins S, I make a slot or
recess R, seen in Figs. 2, & 4, large enough to permit the wedge, when it is drawn
out to its full extent, being turned into, so as to assume a vertical position, and lie
flat against the side of the socket, in which position the eye of the pick D, can be
passed over it on to the part A¹, the wedge be brought to its horizontal position
again and driven home. These various positions are shown in the drawings;
Figs. 3, and 4, show the wedge vertical, and in the slot or recess R, and Figs. 1,
and 2, show it in its horizontal position.
The solid blade or flat pick C, is placed in the position shown in Fig. 2, by first
withdrawing the wedge, and is finally secured by driving in the wedge in the usual
manner.
Both blades or picks are removed from the socket by the reverse action of the
before described method of securing them.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and the manner in which it is or may be carried into effect, I declare that
what I claim is :-
1. The improved socket for miners picks, constructed for holding both solid
blades, and eyed blades substantially as herein before described and shown.
2. In sockets for miners picks, the combination with an attached wedge W, of a
recess R, or the like to receive the wedge, and permit the eyed blade to be passed
over to position, or removed therefrom, substantially as hereinbefore described and
as shown.
3. A socket for miners picks, having an opening through it to receive solid
blades, and the outside formed to fit into the eye of correspondingly made picks;
an attached wedge, and a side recess to receive the wedge when an eyed blade is
shafted, or removed therefrom, also a collar or abutment for the eyed blade to be
keyed against, substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated.
Dated the 22nd day of October 1891.
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.