Improvements in the Construction and Manufacture of Metallic D's or Eyes of Handles for Shovels, Forks, Spades, and like Implements, and in Means of Fixing such D's or Eyes to the Wooden Shafts or Stails.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 4th Nov., 1892-Accepted, 14th Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction and Manufacture of Metallic D's
or Eyes of Handles for Shovels, Forks, Spades, and like
Implements, and in Means of Fixing such D's or Eyes to the
Wooden Shafts or Stails.
1, JOHN WILLIAM HUNT, trading as The Chillington Tool Company, of
Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford, Edge Tool Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object, the production of metal D's or eyes, for the
purposes named in the title, in a manner which makes them stronger than heretofore
and which enables them to be manufactured more economically, and also improved
means of fixing such D's or eyes to the wooden shafts or stails.
According to one modification of this inventiou, the D's or eyes are each formed
with a bow in which is mounted in the ordinary manner the barrel which is grasped
by the hand, and with a flat central projection; and each D or eye is fixed to the
shaft or stail of the spade, shovel, fork or like implement by driving such projection
tightly down into a slit formed in the upper end of such shaft, such end being
surrounded by a ferrule to prevent the wood being opened out by the driving in
of the metal. The flat central projection is, preferably, sharpened somewhat at
its end to facilitate its being driven into the wood. For additional security a
transverse rivet or rivets may be passed through the central projection and through
the shaft and ferrule, or other means may be adopted for the purpose. The D's or
eyes are each made, according to this invention, either by cutting out from a strong
sheet or thin plate, or otherwise by forging in suitable tools, a blank which has a
plain flat portion along the middle thereof suitable to form the central flat projection
when doubled and an extension therefrom at each end to form one side or half of
the bow for the handle; and then doubling such central part, to form the projection,
thus bringing the two inner ends of the extensions close together, and shaping the
extensions to form the bow, suitable holes being of course formed for the pin on
which the barrel is to be mounted. The doubled portion may be welded together at
the top or riveted. The ends of the bow may be recessed to receive the ends of the
wooden barrel, and the metal of the bow may be hollowed transversely for the
sake of strength; and, when stamped, any desired form, moulded or otherwise, may
be given to the metal. Instead of forming the D or eye with the central projection
thereon in a single piece of metal as described, it may be formed in two exactly
similar pieces each having a part to form the half bow and a part bent down from
the inner end thereof for riveting or fixing to the corresponding part of the other
half of the D or eye. These bent down parts form, when fixed together, the
central flat projection by means of which the D or eye is fixed to the stail. After
the central projection has been driven into the end of the shaft, a wedge may be
driven down between the two thicknesses of such projection for additional security,
but in such case the two thicknesses must not be fixed together at any rate near
their upper ends.
According to a further modification of this invention, the D's or eyes are each
formed with langets, in lieu of the central projection above described, which pass
down at front and back, respectively, at the upper end of the shaft or stail and
which are fixed thereto by means of rivets passing through the shaft or stail and
through themselves. The portion of the bow which comes immediately over the
end of the shaft or stail may be recessed upwards so as the better to fit upon the
top of the shaft; and the upper ends of the bow may be recessed also, if desired,
to receive the ends of the barrel. In manufacturing D's or eyes according to this

page_text: invention, the metal of which they are to be formed may be cut or punched out of
a strong sheet or thin plate of iron or steel in the form of a cross or star, that is
to say, with the part to form the bow in one flat length and the parts to form the
langets projecting therefrom on each side at right angles. The necessary holes are
punched in, and the parts to form the bow and langets, respectively, are then bent
into the proper shape in suitable tools. The langets are, preferably, shaped to a
concave form in transverse section to fit against curved surfaces of the shaft or
stail; and in this case also, the metal of the bow may be somewhat hollowed, if
desired, for the purpose of giving increased strength, this operation being
conveniently performed simultaneously with the operation of hollowing the langets,
and of recessing that portion of the metal which is to fit down upon the end of
the shaft when such is required. In lieu of cutting out the blank from a metal
sheet or plate, such may, in this case also, be stamped or pressed out hot in
suitable tools, and thus any desired form, moulded or otherwise, may be given to
the metal.
Dated this 3rd day of February 1892.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction and Manufacture of Metallic D's
or Eyes of Handles for Shovels, Forks, Spades, and like
Implements, and in Means of Fixing such D's or Eyes to the
Wooden Shafts or Stails.
I, JOHN WILLIAM HUNT trading as The Chillington Tool Company Wolver-
hampton Staffordshire Edge Tool Manufacturer, 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 :-
This invention has for its object the production of metal D's or eyes, for the
purposes named in the title, in a manner which makes them stronger than heretofore
and which enables them to be manufactured more economically, and also improved
means of fixing such D's or eyes to the wooden shafts or stails.
According to one modification of this invention the D's or eyes are each formed
with a bow, in which is mounted in the ordinary manner the barrel which is grasped
in the hand, and with a flat central projection; and each D or eye is fixed to the
shaft or stail of the spade, shovel, fork or like implement by driving such pro
jection tightly down into a slit formed in the upper end of such shaft, such end
being surrounded by a ferrule to prevent the wood being opened out by the driving
in of the metal. The flat central projection is, preferably, sharpened somewhat at
its end to facilitate its being driven into the wood.
For additional security a transverse rivet or rivets may be passed through the
central projection and through the shaft and ferrule, or other means may be adopted
for the purpose. The D's or eyes are each made according to this invention, either
by cutting out from a strong sheet or thin plate, or otherwise by forging in suitable
tools, a blank which has a plain flat portion along the middle thereof suitable to
form the central flat projection when doubled and an extension therefrom at each
end to form one side or half of the bow of the handle; and then doubling such
central part, to form the projection, thus bringing the two inner ends of the exten-
sions close together, and shaping the extensions to form the bow, suitable holes
being of course formed for the pin on which the barrel is to be mounted. The
doubled portion may be welded together at the top or riveted. The ends of
the bow may be recessed to receive the ends of the wooden barrel, and the metal of
the bow may be hollowed transversely for the sake of strength, and, when stamped,
any desired form, moulded or otherwise, may be given to the metal.
Instead of forming the D or eye with the central projection thereon in a single

page_text: piece of metal as described, it may be formed in two exactly similar pieces each
having a part to form the half bow and a part bent down from the inner end thereof
for riveting or fixing to the corresponding part of the other half of the D or eye.
These bent down parts form when fixed together, the central flat projection by
means of which the D or eye is fixed to the stail. After the central projection
has been driven into the end of the shaft, a wedge may be driven down between
the two thicknesses of such projection for additional security but in such case the
two thicknesses must not be fixed together at any rate near their upper ends.
According to a further modification of this invention the D's or eyes are each
formed with langets, in lieu of the central projection above described, which pass
down at front and back, respectively, at the upper end of the shaft or stail and
which are fixed thereto by means of rivets passing through the langets and shaft
or stail. The portion of the bow which comes immediately over the end of the
shaft or stail may be recessed upwards so as to form a cap for the better to fit
upon the top of the shaft; and the upper ends of the bow in either modification
may be recessed also, if desired, to receive the ends of the barrel. In manu-
facturing D's or eyes according to this invention, the metal of which they are to
be formed may be cut or punched out of a strong sheet or thin plate of iron or
steel in the form of a cross or star, that is to say, with the part to form the bow in
one flat length and the parts to form the langets projecting therefrom on each side
at right angles. The necessary holes are punched in, and the parts to form the bow
and langets, respectively, are then bent into the proper shape in suitable tools.
The langets are, preferably, shaped to a concave form in transverse section to fit
against curved surfaces of the shaft or stail, and in this case also, the metal of the
bow may be somewhat hollowed, if desired, for the purpose of giving increased
strength, this operation being conveniently performed simultaneously with the
operation of hollowing the langets and of recessing that portion of the metal
which is to fit down upon the end of the shaft when such is required. In lieu of
cutting out the blank from a metal sheet or plate, such may, in this case also, be
stamped or pressed out hot in suitable tools, and thus any desired form, moulded or
otherwise may be given to the metal.
The above description will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings and in conjunction therewith I will now describe the process of formation
necessary in the manufacture of cach modification of D's or eyes and the manner
of their attachment to the shafts or stails.
Fig. 1 represents the cross or star blank preferably cut out of thin sheet iron,
steel or other suitable metal. This is now heated and placed between suitable dies
operated or brought together by means of a press or stamp. This operation forms
the raised or cap part c or recess for the reception of the upper end of the shaft or
stail and bends down the outer side edges of the langets a¹ and a² giving them a
curved or hollow form in order that they may conform to the circular shape of the
shaft or stail to which they have to be ultimately attached. At the same time (if
desired to give greater strength to the bow) bends down the outer side edges of the
projections B. B. and forms the recesses 61 and 62 used for the insertion of and the
better holding and strengthening of the barrel or wood part grasped by the hand.
After this the holes 1. 2. 3 and 4 shown in the langets a' and a² Fig. 1. and those shown
in the centre of the recesses 61 and 62 are pierced by suitable tools. The langets a¹
and a² are now bent downwards to suit the shaft or stail and the projections B. B
are bent upwards forming the bow or D part which is better shown by front view
Fig. 2. and side view Fig. 3. The barrel or handle part being indicated by broken
lines. Fig. 4 being a front view showing the parts connected. D being the D part
and its langets a¹ and a² (a² not seen in Fig. 4.) embracing the stail or shaft H
securely held thereto by the rivets 1 and 2. X being the barrel part held within
the bow by the recesses 61 and 62 and the rivet e. This view better shows the value
of the recess or cap c also the recesses b¹ and 62 that embrace the extremities of the
barrel part X for the purpose of preventing its splitting when driving the rivet e
through or otherwise becoming detached from the bow D at the same time giving

page_text: extraordinary strength and a neater and much better finish to the article. Fig. 5
being a side view of Fig. 4. In order to secure sufficient metal at the extremities
of the projections B. B. to form the recesses 61 and 62 of the requisite depth I may
cut these projections somewhat longer as indicated by the broken line f¹ Fig. 1. and
fold or double over each extremity so as to give a double thickness as shown at f. f.
Fig. 6 and by heating the blank to welding heat the blow under the stamp or
squeeze between the dies in a suitable press would weld and form the recesses at
the same time and operation as previously described or I may previously to
stamping weld such folded or doubled extremities in order to ensure their being
sound or I may form the star or cross piece shown by Fig. 1. out of iron or steel of
sufficient thickness to allow of the proper formation of the recesses b¹ and 6² and
then after stamping strip off with suitable tools any superfluous metal that may
exude from between or out of the dies.
I may in a cheaper kind of bow or D part dispense with the recesses and 62
also the transverse curvature given to the B. B parts of the bow Fig. I also the
recess or cap c. In this case the cross or star part Fig. 1. would be cut to
the correct shape and the projections B. B pierced with holes 5 and 6 and then
bent upwards and the langets al and a² bent downwards as previously described.
The bow part would then be ready for attachment to the shaft or stail and for the
barrel part to be riveted therein. may also prefer to drill the holes through the
langets and stail together to ensure their being straight and true with each other
for the more expeditious insertion of the rivet. I will now describe the remaining
modification in conjunction with the requisite processes for its formation and
its attachment to the shaft or stail.
In this case a long strip of thin iron or steel of sufficient width is bent or
doubled as shown by the edge view Fig. 7. while hot its lower end is somewhat
sharpened and its outer corners rounded or bevelled to avoid its catching or to
facilitate its entrance into the wood and ferrule. The side edges; I prefer to keep
parallel so as to correspond and fit the inside diameter of the ferrule and thereby
prevent any oscillation of the handle or bow part within the ferrule. The upper
end of the double strip Fig. 7. is now cut (and holes 5 and 6 pierced) to the shape
shown in Fig. 8 and the ends are now separated or bent back and curved as
shown by front view Fig. 9. and side view Fig. 10. The shaft or stail H has
a slit cut for a short distance down its upper end and the ferrule Fig. 11 is driven
on to same. The lower end of the bow or D part Figs. 9 and 10 is now driven
into the slit up to its shoulders or curved part expanding the wood of the stail by
its wedge shape, making it tightly fill the ferrule and at the same time grip the
lower extremity (Fig. 11.) of the D or bow part or a wedge not shown may
be driven between the division O. A hole is now drilled through all the parts
and a pink is inserted and properly riveted as shown securing the D or bow
part D, ferrule and shaft or stail H firmly together. The barrel X is now
inserted within the upper extremities of the bow D and riveted as in the former
modification. Instead of using the long strip doubled Fig. 7. I may use two short
pieces and weld or rivet them together at their lower ends so as to form the same
bow or D part as that just described.
In this modification as in the previous one I may bend the upper extremities
transversely into a Ụ shape to secure greater strength and also form recesses
at m, m for the reception of the extremities of the barrel part X like those shown
at 6 and 62 Figs. 2. 3 and 4.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1.) The construction of a D or bow part having langets a¹ and a² formed in one
piece as herein described and shown by Fig. 1. but without the recess or cap c, and
the recesses 6 and 62 shown in Figs. 1. 2. 3. 4 and 5.
(2.) The formation of a D or bow part D out of sheet iron, steel or other suitable

page_text: sheet metal to be applied to such articles as named in the title as herein described
and shown for the purposes set forth and having special reference to Figs. 1. 2. 3. 4
and 5 but without the recesses 6 and 62 and c.
(3.) The construction of a D or bow part D out of iron, steel or other suitable
sheet metal formed in one piece having langets a¹ and a² with the recess c as herein
described and shown for the purpose set forth but without the recesses and ³ as
shown by Figs. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5 and 6.
(4.) The construction of a D or bow part D out of iron, steel, or other suitable
sheet metal formed in one piece with langets a¹ and a² having the recesses
and b²
as herein described and shown for the purposes set forth but without the recess c as
shown by Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive.
(5.) Making of the projections B. B Fig. 1 longer as shown by the broken line f¹
Fig. 1. and doubling over and welding the extremities f. f. Fig. 6 to secure sufficient
metal for the formation of the recesses b' and 2 as herein described and shown for
the purposes herein stated.
(6.) The construction of a bow or D part made as herein described and shown in
Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive having in combination the langets a¹ and a², the recess c. and
the recesses 61 and 62 and the upper parts B. B. bent transversely into U shape all
for the purposes herein set forth and described.
(7.) The construction of a bow or D part D made out of a long strip of iron or
steel or suitable sheet metal bent double as shown by Fig. 7 and subsequently
sheared to the form and pierced as shown by side view Fig. 8 and subsequently
opened outwards and bent to the shape as shown by front view Fig. 9. aud side
view Fig. 10. as herein described and shown for the purposes set forth. Also the
same bow or D part if made out of two separate pieces, welded, riveted or otherwise
connected together.
(8.) The forming of the two side edges jj.jj Fig. 6 of suitable width so as to
conform to the interior diameter of the ferrule for the purpose of preventing any
oscillation of the extremity i of the bow part D within the ferrule aforesaid as
herein described and shown by broken line in side view Fig. 13.
(9.) The combination of the D or bow part D whether made in one piece
bent or two pieces joined as herein described with the ferrule h and the shaft or
stail H. and the barrel X either with or without the rivet k as herein described
and shown by Figs. 7 to 13 inclusive and for the purposes set forth.
(10.) The formation of the recesses m. m. on the upper extremities of the
modification shown by Figs. 9. 10. 11 and 12 similar to those shown at 61 and 62 in
Figs. 1. 2. 3. 4 and 5 as herein described and for the purposes set forth.
(11.) The construction of a bow or D part D for such articles as mentioned
in the title, also the modes used for attaching such bows or D parts to their shafts
or stails H and barrels X in the manuer herein described and shown for the purposes
set forth having reference to the accompanying drawings.
November 3rd 1892.
JOHN WILLIAM HUNT.