IMPROVEMENTS IN SPADES AND SHOVELS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, DAVID WILLETTS of Cradley Heath in the county of Stafford Manufacturer
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN SPADES AND
SHOVELS, to be as follows:-
"
This invention consists in the manufacture of spades or shovels having a “tread'
formed thereon wherein the "tread," the socket to receive the handle, and the
spade or shovel itself, is formed and shaped out of one piece. I am aware that
spades have been made, and treads attached thereto, but in this my invention I
take a piece of steel (generally) and cut it to the shape required for the spade, and
also for the socket or handle, and further allowing sufficient material which by
suitable tools is formed into a "tread". By this method I produce a space that
is stronger lighter, and more economical than in the ordinary manner. At the
junction of the socket with the spade and also extending some distance along
the spade is formed a groove which in some cases may be filled up, so as to
prevent clogging with soil, by inserting one end of a suitably shaped piece of metal
into the back end of the socket and a rivet through the other end into the spade
or shovel.

page_text: A
I, DAVID WILLETTS of Cradley Heath in the County of Stafford Manufacturer
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN SPADES AND
SHOVELS and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention consists in the manufacture of steel spades or shovels, having 5
formed thereon a "tread" (that is a surface prepared to receive pressure from the
foot, when in use), and has for its object the manufacture of such spades or shovels
so that the tread, and the 'socket, which receives the handle, and the 'blade or plate
of the spade itself, consists of one piece of steel.
In carrying out my invention I take a piece of steel, and cut it to the shape 1
required for the forming of the spade, and for the socket, and also allowing
sufficient material wherewith to form the tread; and then by suitable tools I form
the said spade with the socket and tread thereon.
I will now further and more clearly describe this my invention with the
assistance of the accompanying sheet of drawings, attached hereunto for that
purpose, and upon which are figures and letters of reference, similar letters
referring to similar parts throughout.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a steel spade or shovel, made according to this my
invention.
Fig. 2, is an end elevation of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a section of Fig. 2, upon line A-B.
Fig. 4, is a section of Fig. 1, upon line C. D.
Fig. 5 is a section of Fig 1. upon line E-F, shewing an enlarged view of the
"tread."
Fig. 6, is a.section of Fig. 1 upon line G―H.
Fig. 7, is a section of Fig. upon line G-H, with a piece inserted in the
groove d, at e, to prevent the back part of the groove becoming clogged with soil.
Fig. 8 is a section of Fig. 7, upon line I-K.
In Fig. 1, a, is the blade or plate of spade, b, is the tread, and c is the socket,
these parts constituting the spade, are formed from one piece of steel. The manner
in which the tread may be formed is shewn at Fig. 5.
The lower part of the socket c, at d, where the said socket joins to and becomes
the plate of the spade is grooved as shewn, to strengthen the spade at that part.
When in use however, the soil may clog to such part, and fill it up, and to this
in some cases there may be an objection.
upper
end
In order to remedy this, I may if desired, insert a separate piece e, the
of which is caused to pass under the folds forming the lower part of the back of
the socket, and the lower end being secured by a rivet shewn at f. The spade is
then trimmed and tempered, and otherwise finished in the usual manner.

page_text: By these methods I produce a spade entirely of steel, that is stronger lighter,
and more durable, than is the case in present manufacture.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
A steel spade or shovel consisting of a tread, socket, and plate, made of one piece,
as hereindescribed, and shewn upon the drawings, or any mere modification of the
same in form.