IMPROVEMENTS IN TOOLS FOR SHAVING OR BEVELLING THE EDGES OF LEATHER
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
"
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
TOOLS FOR SHAVING OR BEVELLING THE EDGES OF LEATHER." A com-
munication from abroad by Jason Smith and Charles Clarence Foster, both
of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, United States
of America.
Sealed the 6th February 1877, and dated the 25th September 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th September 1876.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TOOLS FOR SHAVING OR BEVELLING THE EDGES
OF LEATHER."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in tools for shaving the edges of
leather to a uniform thickness and at any bevel, so that when a piece thus shaved
is stiched over another piece it will present an oven edge of a uniform thickness.
It consists of a body or handle of metal having a flat under surface, which rests on
the cutting board on a plane with the leather to be operated upon, to which is
hinged an arm carrying a knife having two cutting edges and which may be set at
any desired angle. A gauge bears against the edge of the leather, and being
adjustable to the knife the operator is enabled to make the bevel of any width that
may be desired. A spring attached to and projecting beyond the gauge has a
bearing on the upper surface of the leather at either side of the knife, and serves to
prevent the leather from curling before the knife.
The operation of using the Invention is as follows:-The leather is laid on the
cutting board and held in place with the left hand; with the tool in the right hand
it is placed so that the gauge will bear against the edge of the leather and the
spring on its upper surface. When the tool is moved in either direction, the knife
will shave the leather to the bevel and thickness at which the knife is set.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th March 1877.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TOOLS FOR SHAVING OR BEVELLING
THE EDGES OF LEATHER." A communication from abroad by Jason Smith and
Charles Clarence Foster, both of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, and State of
Massachusetts, United States of America.
This Invention relates to certain improvements in tools for shaving the edges of
leather to a uniform thickness and at any bevel, so that when a piece thus shaved
is stitched over another piece it will present an even edge of a uniform thickness.
It consists of a body or handle of metal having a flat under surface, which rests on
the cutting board on a plane with the leather to be operated upon, to which is
hinged an arm carrying a knife having two cutting edges and which may be set at
any desired angle. A gauge bears against the edge of the leather, and being
adjustable to the knife the operator is enabled to make the bevel of any width that
may be desired.
A spring attached to and projecting beyond the gauge has a
bearing on the upper surface of the leather at either side of the knife, and serves to
prevent the leather from curling before the knife.
In the accompanying Drawing Figure 1 is a perspective view of the Invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the under side, a being the knife, b the gauge, and e the
spring.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section showing the different parts as in opera-
tion, A being the handle, B the hinged arm held in place by the brace D
secured by screw d; f is the thumb screw that secures the knife a to the arm B.
The gauge b is secured to the handle by the screw g.
Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the knife a and spring e in operation, x repre-
senting a piece of leather, the tool moving in the direction shown by the arrows.
The operation in using the Invention is as follows:-The leather is laid on the
cutting board and held in place by the left hand; with the tool in the right hand
it is placed so that the gauge will bear against the edge of the leather and the
spring on its upper surface. When the tool is moved in either direction, the knife
will shave the leather to the bevel and thickness at which the knife is set.
Having described the nature of the said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. In combination the handle A, hinged arm B, two-edged knife a, and
thumbscrew f, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Second. In combination the handle A, hinged knife a, gauge b, and spring e, all
arranged and operating substantially as described.
Ju witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)