An Improved Carpenter's Cramp.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Sept., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 21st June, 1890-Accepted, 26th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Carpenter's Cramp.
I SAMUEL JAMES AINGE of 252 Icknield Port Road Birmingham in the county
of Warwick Merchant do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This Invention which I denominate "The Eureka Cramp" is designed for the use
of carpenters joiners &c. and is intended to supersede the cumbrous ones hitherto
in use.
Its novelty and chief recommendation consist in its extreme simplicity, portability,
efficiency and adaptation to a variety of purposes. It is constructed of several straps
or bars of iron coupled together with pins which form joints and is furnished with a
screw with right and left hand threads and a pair of powerful toothed jaws. When
the screw is turned the sides of the cramp are thereby drawn simultaneously
together, and the jaws which are united to and operated by a pair of the straps, which
act as levers, are brought into instant contact with the floor joist which they grip so
firmly that slipping is impossible, while at the same time one of the bars presses against
the floor board at whatever angle it may lie with respect to the joist and forces it into
and retains it in the desired position. The closeness of the joint and the tenacity of
the grip on the joist are limited only by the strength and action of the screw and when
it is slackened the cramp is perfectly free to be removed or refixed as required, and it
can be adjusted to joists of various thicknesses and used in the making of doors
shutters &c.
Dated this 20th day of September 1889.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Carpenter's Cramp.
I SAMUEL JAMES AINGE of 252 Icknield Port Road in the city of Birmingham;
Merchant, 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:-
My improved cramp is designed for the use of carpenters joiners &c. and is intended
to supersede the cumbrous ones hitherto in use.
Its novelty and chief recommendation consist in its extreme simplicity lightness
and efficiency. It is constructed of several straps or bars of iron which being coupled
together with pins form joints and is furnished with a screw with right and left hand
threads and a pair of powerful toothed jaws. When the screw is turned forward the
sides of the cramp are thereby drawn simultaneously together and the jaws being
acted upon by a pair of the straps are brought into instant contact with the floor joist
(when the cramp is being used in laying floors) which they grip so firmly that slipping
is impossible and by continuing to turn the screw the top portion of the cramp is
pressed against the floor board at whatever angle it may lie with respect to the joist
and forces it into and retains it in the desired position. The closeness of the joint
between the floor boards and the tenacity of the grip on the joist are limited only by
the strength and action of the screw which is made of steel, and when it is slackened
the cramp is perfectly free to be removed or refixed as may be required, and it is

page_text: -
adjustable to joists of any thickness in ordinary use. In addition to the laying of floors
the cramp can be used in the making of doors shutters &c.
That the construction and use of my invention may be more clearly understood
I have attached hereto a sheet of drawings which I now proceed to explain.
Fig. A shews the cramp as used in laying floors in which the letters (a) and (b)
respectively represent the joist and floor board.
Fig. B shews the cramp as used in making doors &c.
Fig. C represents one of four pairs of straps or bars of iron which being properly
drilled at each end are coupled by means of pins to other parts of the cramp as is
hereafter described. The under strap of the two pairs marked D (Fig.. A) is made
a little longer than the upper one (as drawn) in order that its end may rest on the.
joist and also on the distance piece of the jaws so as thereby to limit the extent to
which they can be opened.
Fig. E is a screw with right and left hand threads-the central portion being left
plain as shewn. One end of the screw is squared and drilled for the reception of the
handle (K) and a cotter.
Fig. F is a side view of one of the jaws the toothed and plain portions of which
are united by a distance piece of suitable dimensions. The ends of the jaws are drilled
so that they may be coupled with the straps marked D and also with the bottom
piece (I).
Fig. G shews the construction of the armed nuts on which arms the straps rest and
are retained there by means of cotters. These nuts are drilled and tapped for the
screw to work in. The ends of the arms are likewise drilled for the reception of the
coiters.
Fig. His the top piece which is used to press against the floor board and to which
the two pairs of straps C.C. are coupled with pins and cotters.
Fig. I represents the bottom piece which, like the top piece has holes drilled
in its ends so that the jaws (F) can be coupled to it by similar pins and cotters.
Fig. J is the pin for coupling the several parts of the cramp together. It is made
of varying lengths as required.
Fig. K is a representation of the handle in the centre of which is formed a square
hole into which the squared end of the screw is fitted and where it is retained by
means of a cotter. I do not confine myself to this shape of handle, for, though for
general purposes it is most approved, yet, as under certain conditions, a sort of vice
handle or one on the ratchet principle would work more easily, I hold myself free to
use such form of handle as best suits the conditions under which the cramp has to be
worked.
In use the cramp is laid on the floor joist as shewn in Fig. A-the screw being
turned backwards so as to open the jaws to their full extent-then by placing the
teeth of the jaws against the sides of the joist and turning the screw forwards, the
armed nuts are made to approach each other carrying with them the four pairs of
straps which rest upon them. Those marked D are coupled with the jaws and as they
are brought together they force the teeth of the jaws into the joist so firmly that
slipping is impossible and by the continued turning of the screw the top piece is made
to press against the floor board and thus the joints between the boards are effectually
closed. The boards being nailed or otherwise fastened in their place, the screw can
be slackened and the cramp readily removed or replaced as required.
When used in making doors &c. the action is exactly similar only that a piece of
timber corresponding to a floor joist has to be provided for the door and cramp to
rest upon. This piece of timber must be furnished with a properly constructed block
to form a resistance to the door or shutter when it is being pressed against by the
cramp. Fig. B will serve to shew how this may be done.
Having now fully described the nature of my invention and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is
An improved carpenter's cramp consisting of several straps or bars of iron or other

page_text: suitable material and which is furnished with a screw with right and left hand threads
and a pair of toothed jaws, all of which are coupled together with pins which form
joints as is herein before described and illustrated.
In witness whereof I the said Samuel James Ainge of 252 Icknield Port Road
in the city of Birmingham Merchant, have hereunto set my hand this
Seventeenth day June One thousand eight hundred and ninety,
QARTIRI TAMAS A INCR
SAMUEL
JAMES
AINGE