IMPROVEMENTS IN FLOORING CLAMPS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLOORING CLAMPS" and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
My invention relates to that class of flooring or floor clamps which are employed
by carpenters in laying the floors of buildings, and it consists in a novel construction
and arrangement of the parts, as hereinafter more fully set forth by which a more
desirable and effective device of this character is produced than is now in ordinary
use.
The nature and operation of the improvement will be readily understood by all.
conversant with such matters from the following explanation and the accompanying
drawing in which
-
Figure 1 is an isometrical perspective view representing the improved floor
clamp in use; and
Figure 2 a vertical longitudinal section of the same.
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures of the
drawing.
A represents the body, B the lever and C the bar.
Projecting upwardly from either side of the body is a vertically arranged.flange D
in which the lower end of the lever B is pivoted at 2.
The bar C is provided with an upwardly projecting serrated flange d at either
side, and is fitted to slide longitudinally of the body A in the ways m.
The upper side of the bar C is provided between the flanges & with teeth, as.
shown at f, and, pivoted to the lever B, at i, is an actuating pawl E, adapted to
engage said teeth.
Disposed above the pawl E, and pivoted to the flanges D, is a retaining pawl H, :
adapted to engage the teeth on the upwardly projecting flanges d of the bar C.
Centrally pivoted at to the outer end of the bar C, and adapted to swing
laterally thereon, is a head-piece or bar J, provided with a longitudinal groove z
for receiving the tongue, of the loose board K, said head-piece being cut out or
curved inwardly at its centre, as shown at t, to enable the nail to be driven
through the tongue h in blind-nailing the board K.
Projecting downwardly from the outer end of the body A are a series of sharp
spurs b, adapted to engage the under floor or a beam M and thereby anchor the
clamp.
In use, the clamp is anchored by driving the spurs 6 into the under floor or
beam M, and the head-piece J is placed against the loose board K, the tongue h of
'

page_text: said board being inserted in the groove z of the head-piece. The lever B is then
depressed, causing the pawl E to engage one of the teeth fand force the head-
piece J against the board K, and said board against the nailed board L, the pawl H
at the same time engaging the teeth on the flange d and retaining the head-piece
in its advanced position. The lever B is then elevated and again depressed,
thereby causing the pawl H to engage another of the teeth f and force the bar C
forward another step, the operation being repeated until the requisite pressure is
exerted on the board K, after which it may be nailed in a manner which will be
readily obvious without a more explicit description.
The pawl E acts at the longitudinal axial line or centre of the bar C, thereby
exerting a direct pressure on the centre of the board, while the retaining pawl H,
by engaging the teeth on the flanges & simultaneously at either side of said bar,
prevents the bar from swinging laterally.
The spurs bare inclined in a backward direction, as seen in Figure 2, in order
to adapt them to engage the floor M to better advantage, and also to prevent the
rear end of the clamp from being raised when the lever B is depressed to force the
bar C forward as described.
⚫ The flanges & also serve as guides to keep the point of the pawl E centred, and
cause it to engage the teeth f properly, in case it becomes loose on its pivotal
support i
The head-piece J is centrally pivoted at v, to enable it to adjust itself to the
board properly in case the body A is not set precisely at right angles thereto.
The curve t is a very essential feature of my invention, as it enables the board K
to be blind-nailed through the tongue h, at a point where said tongue is supported
at either side of the nail in the groove z, thus preventing the tongue from being
accidentally split from the body of the board.
I do not, however, confine myself to the use of said curve, or to providing the
head-piece with the groove J, as these features may be omitted if desired, more
especially when laying unmatched boards.
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 :-
-
.
First. In a flooring clamp, the combination of a body provided with a spur or
spurs adapted to engage the under floor; a lever pivoted in said body; an actuating
pawl pivoted to said lever; a .retaining pawl pivoted to said body; a bar fitted to
slide horizontally. in ways in said body, and provided with teeth for said pawls;
and a horizontally arranged head-piece centrally pivoted to the end of said bar,
substantially as described.
Second. The improved flooring clamp herein described, the same consisting of
the body A provided with the spurs b, the ways m, and the flanges D; the lever B
pivoted at x, and provided with the pivoted pawl E; the bar C provided with the
serrated flanges d and the teeth f; and the pivoted head-piece J provided with
the groove and the curve t, all constructed, combined, and arranged to operate,
substantially as set forth.
Third In a flooring clamp, the head piece J provided with the curve t,
substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.