Digging Out Rabbit Burrows and such like Purposes.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 10th May, 1886.
Complete Left, 10th Feb., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 11th Mar., 1887.
Digging Out Rabbit Burrows and such like Purposes.
1. WYRLEY PEREGRINE BIRCH of Cranford, Kettering Gentleman do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
The object of this invention is to provide a tool which will pack into small space so
that it can readily be carried about and with which either a long steel spike or probe
can be used for probing the ground to ascertain the direction in which a burrow runs
or a spade for digging out the burrow or stopping its end or for other such like
purposes.
The tool is formed of a wooden handle with a stem projecting from it having at its
end a hollow tapering socket-also of a narrow spade blade with a short stem projecting
from it at the fop to fit into and be locked in the socket and also of a long tapering
spike or probe with a similar stem adapted for being locked into the socket.
A leather case with which the spade spike and socket end of the handle can be
enclosed when the tool is not being used is also provided. The case is formed of a
broad strip of leather doubled over in the middle crosswise of its length so that its
two ends form two flaps lying one over the other-The two ends are drawn and held
together by a strap passed through two slits in each end near its side edges-one end
of the strip carrying an eye through which the other end is drawn. The Haps are also
similarly drawn and held together by another strap at a short distance from where the
leather is bent or doubled over. The two straps are also buckled together so that the
case may be carried with ease by slinging the strap over the shoulder.
When the parts of the tool are to be packed in the case both the spade and the spike
separated from the handle are placed between the leather flaps and are retained between
them by the straps which draw the flaps together. The socket end of the handle is also
thrust lengthwise between the flaps and as the spade blade is somewhat curved the
socket end lies snugly in the hollow. To ensure that the spike shall not drop out
endwise from the case a small pocket is formed on the inside of the end of one of the
Haps for the end of the spike to enter.
When the tool is about to be used for ascertaining in which direction a burrow runs
the spike is secured into the socket of the handle and the ground is probed with it to
ascertain where the ground is solid and where it has been loosened beneath the surface.
The spike can then be removed and the spade fixed into the socket instead of it and
used either for digging out the burrow or for stopping it up-the spade can also he
employed usefully for a variety of other purposes.
CARPMAEL & Co.

page_text: Digging Out Rabbit Burrows and such like Purposes.
I, WYRLEY PEREGRINE BIRCH of Cranford, Kettering, Gentleman 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 :-
The object of this Invention is to provide a tool which will pack into small space so
that it can readily be carried about and with which either a long steel spike or probe
can be used for probing the ground to ascertain the direction in which a burrow runs
or a spade for digging out the burrow or stopping its end or for other such like
purposes.
The tool is formed of a wooden handle with a stem projecting from
having at its
end a hollow tapering socket-also of a narrow spade blade with a short stem projecting
from it at the top to fit into and be locked in the socket and also of a long tapering
spike or probe with a similar stem adapted for being locked into the socket."
A leather case with which the spade spike and socket end of the handle can be
enclosed when the tool is not heing used is also provided. The case is formed of a
broad strip of leather doubled over in the middle crosswise of its length so that its two
ends form two flaps lying one over the other. The two ends are drawn and held
together by a strap passed through two slits in each end near its side edges-one end
of the strap carrying an eye through which the other end is drawn. The Haps are also
similarly drawn and held together by another strap at a short distance from where the
leather is bent or doubled over. The two straps are also buckled together so that the
case may be carried with ease by slinging the strap over the shoulder.
When the parts of the tool are to be packed in the case both the spade and the spike
separated from the handle are placed between the leather flaps and are retained
between them by the straps which draw the flaps together. The socket end of the
handle is also thrust lengthwise between the flaps and as the spade blade is somewhat
curved the socket end lies snugly in the hollow. To ensure that the spike shall not
drop out endwise from the case a small pocket is formed on the inside of the end of
one of the flaps for the end of the spike to enter.
When the tool is about to be used for ascertaining in which direction a burrow run-
the spike is secured into the socket of the handle and the ground is probed with it to
ascertain where the ground is solid and where it has been loosened beneath the surface.
The spike can then be removed and the spade fixed into the socket instead of it and
used either for digging out the burrow or for stopping it up—the spade can also be
employed usefully for a variety of other purposes.
The drawing shows a tool formed as above described.
Figure 1 shows the handle and socket with a narrow spade blade in the socket.
Figure 2 an end view of the spade blade. Figure 3 shows the tapering spike or probe
and Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the leathern case. Figure 5 shows the tool
when all the parts are packed together.

page_text: A is the broad strip of leather of which the case is formed bent or doubled over at
the centre so as to form two flaps BB are two slits cut through the two flaps near
their extremities-('Ü are other slits ent through both flaps near to where the strip A
is bent and doubled over-D is a strap passed through the slits Band having at one
end an eye D through which the other end of the strap is also drawn-E is a strap
passed through the slits C and similarly having at one end an eye E' through which
the other end is drawn. This latter end of the strap E carries a buckle F to which
the end of the strap D can be buckled as shown is a small pocket at the end of one
of the flaps for the end of the spike to enter when all the parts are packed together
into the case.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
The portable tool composed of a handle and socket to receive a spade or probe and
of a leather case formed substantially in the manner herein before described in which
the other parts can be packed and carried.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.