IMPROVEMENTS IN NAILS AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Francis Bianchi and Robert Maxwell Fabris, both of
Sherborne Lane, in the City of London, Merchants and Manufacturers, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN NAILS AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES."
Sealed the 6th November 1877, and dated the 25th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Francis Bianchi and Robert
Maxwell Fabris at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th July
1877.
FRANCIS BIANCHI and ROBERT MAXWELL FABRIS, both of Sherborne Lane, in the
City of London, Merchants and Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN NAILS AND
OTHER LIKE ARTICLES."
.
Our improvements relate to all nails, spikes, brads, tacks, pins, and such like
articles made of any description of malleable metal, and whether they be produced
by cutting, punching, rolling, or other means.
Our Invention has for object the employment either of rolled metal, or wire or
rods of triangular section, instead of the round or square sectional wire or rods now
used in forming the shank of the nail or like article, the triangular section or shape
being better adapted for cutting its way or entering the material into which it is
driven, and for securely holding together the materials to be joined or fastened,
besides which the weight of the nail or like article is considerably reduced without
lessening its driving or holding power, and at the same time a more serviceable,
effectual, and cheaper article is produced.
Sometimes we form grooves, channels, furrows, or indentations in all or any of the
sides of the nail, in order to still further increase its hold in the material into
which it is inserted.

page_text: {
"
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Francis Bianchi and Robert Maxwell Fabris in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 19th January 1878.
FRANCIS BIANCHI and ROBERT MAXWELL. FABRIS, both of Sherborne Lane, in the
"IMPROVEMENTS IN NAILS AND
City of London, Merchants and Manufacturers.
OTHER LIKE ARTICLES."
Our Invention has for object the employment of either rolled metal or wire, or
rods of triangular cross section, instead of the round or square or flat sectional wire
or rods now used in forming the shank of the nail or other like article.
The accompanying Drawings illustrate nails made according to our Invention;
the same letters of reference indicate similar parts in alls the Figures.
Figure 1 is an elevation of a nail known as a rose head and chisel-pointed"
nail; and Figure 2, a horizontal section of the same taken on the line x, y, of Figure 1,
in which the triangular shape of the shank is shewn.
A is the shank of the nail, which we make of wire or rods of triangular shape or
section, in order to better adapt it for cutting its way or entering the material into
which it is driven, and for more securely holding together the materials to be joined.
By the use of the triangular sectional wire the cost of the nail or other like article
is considerably reduced; and at the same time a more serviceable, effectual, and
cheaper article is produced.
Sometimes we form grooves, channels, or furrows, in any or all of the sides of the
triangular shaped shank of the nail, in order to still further increase its hold in the
material into which it is driven.
Figure 3 is an elevation of a nail having all its sides grooved or channelled longi-
tudinally; and Figure 4 is a horizontal section of the same taken on the line y, z,
of Figure 3.
A is the shank, and a, a, are the grooves or channels. It is not however necessary
that the grooves in the shank should always be continuous and extend to the point
of the nail, as shewn in the Drawing, as they may be formed at intervals, or for a
portion of the length only of each side of the triangle. It will be thus seen that as
the nail penetrates the material into which it is driven the sharp or pointed sides of
the triangular shank and the sharp edges formed by the grooves tend not only to
cut their way into the material, but also to hold well and tightly together the materials
.when connected.
Figure 5 is an elevation, and Figure 6 a horizontal section taken on the line 8, t,
of Figure 5, in which another arrangement or modification is shown. In this instance
we form notches, ribs, or depressions a in the shank A in order to give greater
holding power to the nail.
By the employment of triangular sectional wire or rods the nails are well adapted
for quick and strong work and stiffness for driving, also toughness for turning or
clenching, and by notching or ribbing them a greater holding power is obtained than
in other nails, besides which they are easier and safer to work.
Although the Drawings show a nail having oblique notches or ribs on all its sides,
we sometimes form the notches or ribs horizontally or otherwise; and although we
have shown our improvements as regards the notching or ribbing as applied to a
nail made of wire, or rods of triangular section, the notching or ribbing may be
advantageously applied to nails of square, round, or other cross section.
Our improvements are applicable to all nails, spikes, brads, tacks, pins, and such
like articles as are made of any description of malleable metal, and whether they be
produced by cutting, punching, rolling, or other means.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same may be performed, we wish it to be understood that we lay no claim to the
longitudinal grooves as seen in Figure 3, but what we do claim and desire to secure
by Letters Patent is,―
First. The employment or application of rolled metal or wire or rods of triangular

page_text: cross section to form the shank of the nail or other like article, substantially as
herein described for the purposes set forth.
Second. Forming notches, ribs, or depressions in one, two, or all of the sides of
the nail or other like article in order to still further increase its holding power, as
herein described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Francis Bianchi and Robert Maxwell Fabris,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fifteenth day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
WILLIAM GEORGE SYER.
FRANCIS BIANCHI.
(L.S.)
ROBERT MAXWELL FABRIS. (L.S.)