AN IMPROVED KNIFE CLEANING MACHINE
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Wingrove Spong of 4 Great Saint Helens in the
City of London Ship Broker, for an Invention of "AN IMPROVED KNIFE
CLEANING MACHINE"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Wingrove Spong at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th September 1882.
CHARLES WINGROVE SPONG of 4 Great Saint Helens in the City of London
Shipbroker "AN IMPROVED KNIFE CLEANING MACHINE"
This Invention consists of a Wooden Tray the size of which is about 22 inches
by 24 inches more or less-in the interior of which is a Slab of Wood covered
with Tin plate or other Metal or Material, dimensions of which are 10 inches long by
21 inches wide more or less. This Slab is fixed in an inclining position, at the
end of the Slab aforesaid is a container for holding the cleaning powder covered
with a sliding lid At the other end is a groove also in an inclining position in
which are three sockets made for the purpose of receiving the screws and fasteners
of a Clamp, which is intended to hold or secure the handles of the Knives to be
cleaned.
The Clamp above referred to consists of two pieces of wood or other Material
which is lined with India rubber, Leather, felt or other material.
There are three thumb screws and plates two at each end and one in the
centre At the end of each screw is a cap or nut made of metal or other material
to prevent the Screws being wholly withdrawn. At the far end of the Tray on
the ledge thereof is fixed a piece of Leather or other material for the purpose of
cleaning the backs of the Knives
The Rubber or Cleaner by which the blades of the Knives are cleaned is made of
Wood or other Material, the bottom surface of which is covered with Felt India
rubber and Buff Leather, in order that sufficient elasticity be brought to bear
upon any irregularity which may exist in the thickness and on the surface of the
blades of the Knives.
A Rubber made of Buff Leather and Wood or other material as well as a Brush
are provided for the purpose of cleaning the Shoulders and ferrules of the Knives.
The object of the Clamp herein before mentioned is for the purpose of holding
the handles of 8 or 16 Knives (more or less) in position for Cleaning and to admit
of the whole number being turned at one time.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Wingrove Spong in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th March 1883.
CHARLES WINGROVE SPONG of No 4 Great Saint Helens in the City of London
Ship Broker "AN IMPROVED KNIFE CLEANING MACHINE'
The object of this Invention is constructing a novel form of knife cleaner which
will enable two or more knives to be cleaned at one time with facility and the
improvements consist in the employment of a tray or slab made of a size suitable
for the number of knives required to be cleaned at one time. The tray or slab may
be covered with tin or other suitable material or be left so as to have a wooden
surface only, and is so constructed that it has an inclined surface on that portion
thereof which supports the blades of the knife whilst being cleaned, the said tray
or slab may also be provided with a receptacle at its lower end for containing
cleansing powder its top or higher end is provided with a recess into which is
fitted a reversible clamp between the jaws of which the knives to be cleaned are
clamped..
The top end of the tray or slab is fitted with a piece of leather or other material
for the purpose of cleaning the backs of the knives
The rubber or cleaner by which the blades of the kuives are cleaned is made of
wood or other material the bottom surface of which is covered with felt and or
India Rubber and or buff Leather in order that sufficient elasticity may be brought
to bear upon any irregularity which may exist in the thickness and or on the
surface of the blades of the knives.
A rubber made of Buff leather and wood or other material may be provided for
the purpose of cleaning the shoulders and ferrules of the knives.
In order that the invention may be well understood and explained in detail I
have hereunto annexed a Sheet of Drawings made on a scale of about full size
similar letters of reference being marked on corresponding parts on all the
Figures alike.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig 1 represents a plan view of the knife cleaner shewing as an example six
knives in position for being cleaned at one time.
Fig 2, represents an end view of the same shewing the buff rubber by which
the knives are cleaned.
Fig 3, represents the form and construction of clamp which I have found is the
best method for readily securing the knives whilst being cleaned, although I do not
wish to confine myself to the exact arrangement herein shewn as modifications
of the same may be used without departing from the essential feature of the
Invention
The knife cleaner here represented illustrates the best form of design which I
have been enabled to perfect up to the present which consists of a slab upon which
the knives are placed for cleaning
In the Figs of the drawing a. a. represents an inclined surface or bed upon
which the knives are placed for cleaning the said knives being first secured by their
handles as shewn in the jaws of the clamp b. the said clamp being so arranged that
the knives when secured between its protected surfaces by the thumb screw c can
when one side of the knives are cleaned be reversed so as to have their opposite
surface cleaned, the buff leather d. on the upper edge is provided for the purpose
of cleaning the ferrules and edge of the knives. e is the buff block constructed so
that it can be readily held in the hands for use.

page_text: The knives when placed between the jaws of the clamp b are secured therein by
the screw cat which time the clamp is placed in the recess c¹ of the slab a at
which time the operator takes hold of the buff or rubber block e and energetically
rubs it over the surface of the knives from shoulder to point and back again
submitted to its action, after which the clamp containing the knives is reversed in
its socket and the reverse sides of the blades are then presented for cleaning in the
manner as previously described, the ferrules and edge being subsequently cleaned
by rubbing on the leather edge d, the whole process of cleaning by this means being
expeditiously performed.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention together with the means
I employ for carrying the same into practical effect I wish it to be understood in
conclusion that what I claim as new and as of my invention is.
The novel employment use and adaptation to the slab or tray a shewn in the
drawings of a reversible clamp for holding the knives whilst being cleaned in the
manner and for the purpose as herein substantially described set forth and fully
illustrated in the drawings annexed.
In witness whereof I the said Charles Wingrove Spong have hereunto set iny
band and seal this the Seventeenth day of March One thousand eight
hundred and eighty three.
C. W. SPONG (L.S.)