IMPROVEMENTS IN KNOBS AND IN THEIR ATTACHMENT TO SPINDLES."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ernest Wentworth Buller, of Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Manufacturer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNOBS
AND IN THEIR ATTACHMENT TO SPINDLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ernest Wentworth Buller at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th November 1881.
ERNEST WENTWORTH BULLER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Manufacturer. IMPROVEMENTS IN KNOBS AND IN THEIR ATTACHMENT TO
SPINDLES."
"
This Invention refers, firstly, to an improved spring attachment of knobs to
their spindles; secondly, in an improved mode of securing metal necks to
earthenware knobs; and thirdly, in strengthening and protecting the necks of
earthenware or other knobs liable to fracture at that part. The first part of my
Invention consists in forming a rectangular tubular sheath. On the top of one of
the short sides of this sheath is fixed a flat spring turned up into a flange at one
end, by which flange it is secured within the metal mount or the neck of the knob,
and at the other end the spring is turned down to form a pawl or tooth taking
into the ratchet side of the spindle, so that when the removable knob is to be
attached the spindle inserted through the door is forced through the neck of the free
knob into the tubular sheath, and into the knob as far as the thickness of the door
admits, when the pawl or tooth end of the spring engages in one of the teeth of the
ratchet, and secures the knob in place. To release it a small stud is provided
working freely through a hole in the neck of the knob, but prevented from escaping
by a pin or washer attached to its inner end, which inner end is immediately under
the tubular sheath, so that pressure applied to the stud raises or tilts the sheath,
and with it the spring tooth until the latter is released from its hold on the ratchet
of the spindle when the knob can be withdrawn.
The second part of my Invention, namely, attaching metal necks to knobs of
earthenware or other similar materials, is as follows:-
I take the ball of the knob hollowed on its inner side to receive lead plugging or

page_text: cement, and lay upon it a washer through which I insert the metal neck; I then
use a spindle as a core, passing it through the metal neck into the knob as far as it
will go, and I then run lead or cement into the inside of the knob and around the
spindle.
The third part of my Invention referring to the strengthening of the necks of
earthenware and other similar knobs, consists in covering a metal neck with a
ferrule or tube of the same material as the knob, or of other material, and this can
be effected by slipping such ferrule or tube over the metal neck before or after the
said neck is inserted through the washer and into the body of the knob, as in the
second part of my Invention described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Ernest Wentworth Buller in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 24th May 1882.
ERNEST WENTWORTH BULLER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNOBS AND IN THEIR ATTACHMENT TO
SPINDLES."
This Invention refers, firstly, to an improved spring attachment of knobs to
their spindles, and it consists in forming a rectangular tubular sheath or sleeve (a),
shewn detached in Figure 1. At the top of one of the short sides of this sheath or
sleeve is fixed a flat spring (b), also shewn separately in different views in
(Figure 2) with a modification of the same in (Figure 3). This flat spring (b) is
turned up into a flange (c) at one end, or such flat spring may be cut and shaped,
forming part of a blank, as in Figure 3, by which it is secured within the metal
mount, as shewn in elevation and section (Figure 4), or to the neck of the knob.
The other or free end of the flat spring (b) is turned down to form a pawl or
tooth (e) taking into the ratchet side of the spindle (f), as shewn in the section of
the parts as fitted (Figure 5) to a china knob.
When the removeable knob (g), is to be attached, the spindle (f) inserted
through the door is forced through the neck and mount of the knob (g) through
the sheath or sleeve (a), and into the knob (g) as far as the thickness of the door
admits, when the pawl or tooth end (e) of the spring (b) engages in one of the
teeth of the ratchet and secures the knob (g) in place. To release the knob (g) a
small stud or pusher (h), shewn detached in Figure 6, is provided working freely
through a hole in the neck of the knob (g), but prevented from escaping by
flanges (i) or a washer attached to or forming part of the stud or pusher (h) on its
inner end, which is immediately under the tubular sheath (a), so that pressure
applied to the stud (h) raises or tilts the sheath or sleeve (a) and with it the spring
tooth (e), until the latter is released from its hold in the ratchet of the spindle (f);
or I may dispense with the use of a stud or pusher, a hole being merely left in the
knob for the insertion of a point.
The second part of my Invention, namely, attaching metal knecks to knobs of
earthenware or other similar materials is as follows:-
Referring to the sectional views Figures 7 and 8 I take the ball (k) of the knob
hollowed on its inner side as at (m) to receive lead plugging or cement, and lay upon
it a washer (n), seen in plan, Figure 9, through which I insert the metal neck (p),
which may be formed as shewn in Figures 10, 11, 12, or of other requisite shape;
I then use the spindle (r) as a core, passing it through the metal tank into the
knob as far as it will go, and I then run lead or cement (s) into the inside of the
knob and around the spindle (r).
The third part of my Invention, referring to the strengthening of the necks of
earthenware and other similar knobs, consists in covering the metal necks
described with a ferule or tube, such as (t), 7, 8, and 13, of the same material as the
knob or of other material, and this can be effected by slipping such ferule or
tube (t) over the metal neck (p) before or after the said neck (p) is inserted
through the washer (n) and into the body of the knob, as in the second part of my
Invention described.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I claim,—
Firstly. The improvements in attaching or connecting knobs with their spindles
by means of a spring pawl upon a loose sleeve, or its equivalent, in the neck of the

page_text: free knob through which the spindle passes, the pawl engaging in the teeth on the
spindle and released by a pusher or by inserting a point, as herein described.
Secondly. The improvements in attaching metallic or other necks to knobs of
china or other fragile material, and covering such metal necks, as herein described.
Thirdly. I claim the improvements in securing the spindles in the knobs by
using the spindle as a core and running lead or cement round it when in position,
in manner herein more fully set forth and specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ernest Wentworth Buller, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
ERNEST WENTWORTH BULLER. (L.S.)