AN ENTRENCHING SPADE OF HARDENED STEEL WITH FOLDING HANDLE
Year: 1884

page_text: EDWARD BURRARD BOYLE, Fowey, Cornwall, Lieutenant, Royal Navy, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN ENTRENCHING SPADE OF
HARDENED STEEL WITH FOLDING HANDLE, to be as follows:-
The spade is heart shaped, slightly bent inwards; eight inches across the top, and
nine inches deep to point.
The handle is a piece of steel, with a circular knuckle binge, working on a steel
bar, in the middle of a small square space, cut out of the top of the spade-the
upper part is split to receive a short wooden handle, as in an ordinary spade.
When the handle is upright for work, a projection below the knuckle hinge;
takes against the back part of the spade. The handle is kept upright by a broad
steel ring, sliding up and down the handle, the ring has.a groove cut on the inside,
which allows the ring to move up and down a long stud on the handle, when down
the ring goes below the stud, and a turn of the ring, turns the groove from under
the stud, and so keeps the ring down.
There is a notch on the outside of the ring, in line with the groove, for the
purpose of feeling when the groove is opposite the stud.
To turn down the handle, turn round the ring, till the notch comes to stud, then
slide the ring up, and handle at once turns down.
Total weight, about 3 lbs.
Length when folded 16 inches.
The idea is, that the spade could be easily carried on the breast, with the handle
made to fold down.
That being made of toughened steel ballet proof, it would not be a source of
danger from splinters if struck by a rifle bullet, but on the contrary would save life.
That being made to fold, large numbers could be stored, or packed in a small
space.
That its shape, is that best adapted for use in any kind of ground.

page_text: I EDWARD BURRARD BOYLE Fowey Cornwall Lieutenant Royal Navy do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN ENTRENCHING SPADE OF
HARDENED STEEL WITH FOLDING HANDLE and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The Spade is heart shaped, slightly bent inwards 7 inches across the top,
and 9 inches deep to point.
The handle is a piece of steel with a circular knuckle hinge, working on a steel
bar, in the middle of a small square space cut out of the top of the Spade, the
upper part is split to receive a short wooden bandle, as in an ordinary Spade, which
is secured by a rivet, and a ring round the upper part of the metal to strengthen it.
When the handle is upright for work, a projection below tho knuckle hinge
takes against the back part of the Spade, and the underneath part of the knuckle
takes on the Spade.
- The Handle is kept upright by a broad steel ring sliding up and down the
handle which when down prevents the handle from turning over-the ring has n
groove cut on the inside which allows the ring to move up and down a long stud
on the handle when down, the ring goes below the stud, and a turn of the ring,
turns the groove from under the stud-and so keeps the ring down.
There is a notch on the outside of the ring, in lino with the groove-for the
purpose of feeling when the groove is opposite the stud.
The sides of the spade in the slot are slightly bent round to bear on the ring,
when down.
There is a ring round the handle at top of stud, to prevent the moving ring from
being slid up, off the stud.
To turn down the handle-turn round the ring till the notch comes to the stud,
then slide the ring up-and handle at once turns down.
Weight of Spade about 2 lbs.
Total weight, including canvas pocket bound with leather, does not exceed 3 lbs.
The pocket is made of canvas, bound with leather, broad at the top, with a picco
cut out for the handle when turned down to fit into with a piece of leather with
a brass stud on either side to button on to braco straps of accoutrements.
Length when folded 16 inches.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is,
.
The Spade with the handle made to fold down, substantially as herein before
described and illustrated, in the accompanying drawings.
E. B. BOYLE,
Lieutenant R.N.