IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEARS FOR PRUNING OR LOPPING TREES OR HEDGES, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Wilks, of Sheffield, in the West Riding of the
County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEARS FOR
PRUNING OR LOPPING TREES OR HEDGES, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
Sealed the 23rd August 1878, and dated the 26th February 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Wilks at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th February 1878.
SAMUEL WILKS, of Sheffield, in the West Riding of the County of York. "JM-
PROVEMENTS IN SHEARS FOR PRUNING OR LOPPING TREES OR HEDGES, AND FOR
OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
My improvements relate to shears for pruning or lopping hedges or trees, and for
other suitable purposes.
"
As now ordinarily constructed pruning shears have one curved blade" of a
convex form, and one curved "claw" blade of a concave form, the "claw" blade
being nicked or notched for the purpose of holding the bough whilst it is being
cut, as well as taking part in the cutting of the same, but it is found not to answer
well in practical use.
My improvements consist in the construction of shears with a double "claw,"
connected at the extreme point or open thereat. The cutting blade works freely
between the sides of this double "claw," and can have a stop to prevent it entering
too far therein. The double "claw" can be made of commoner material than the
cutting "blade," and so as to hold the bough only whilst it is being cut by the
blade; or it can be so made as that it will take part in the operation of cutting, as
does the single "claw" blade now ordinarily used, but by the "claw" being double
instead of single, the bough is held firm whilst being cut, and consequently can be
cut better and with less exertion than with a pair of shears having a single "claw"
blade.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Wilks in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th August
1878.
SAMUEL WILKS, of Sheffield, in the West Riding of the County of York.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN SHEARS FOR PRUNING OR LOPPING TREES OR HEDGES, AND FOR
OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
This Invention consists in forming a pair of pruning or lopping shears with one
blade and a double jaw, by which the branch or other object to be cut will be held
firmly during the operation of cutting, and will be cut better and with less exertion
than by shears of ordinary construction.
The double jaw can be smooth on its upper surface or may have teeth cut therein,
as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
The accompanying Sheet of Drawings shows the construction of shears according
to this Invention.
Fig. 1 is a side view of a pair of the improved shears.
Fig. 2 is a plan; Fig. 3, an end view, shewing the double jaw and blade in cross
section, as through the line a, b (Figure 1).
Figure 4 is a side view of the blade and part of the tang, the upper portion of
the blade being longer than the lower or cutting edge thereof. The whole of the
cutting edge only of the blade can enter the double jaw.
Having now described and particularly ascertained in what manner my said In-
vention is performed and carried into effect, I claim as the Invention secured to me
by the herein-before in part recited Lettors Patent, "Improvements in pruning or
lopping shears, substantially as specified and described, and illustrated in the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Wilks, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this 22nd day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-eight.
TWITWA
SAMUEL WILKS.
('ལྦ་"T)