Improvements in Picks, Pick-axes, and the like Hand Tools.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Aug., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 15th May, 1897-Accepted, 19th June. 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Picks, Pick-axes, and the like Hand Tools.
We, ALFRED MUSCROFT, of Mount Pleasant, Conisborough, Miner, and JOHN
PAGDIN, of Doncaster Road, Conisborough, Grocer, both in the County of York, do
hereby declare the nature of our said invention to be as follows:-
Although our invention is applicable to a great variety of hand tools it is more
particularly adapted to implements for mining and the like purposes, such as for
example, picks, pick-axes, mattocks and the like.
The object of our invention is to construct such implements with loose blades or
bits fitting into the head in such a way that when they become worn or broken they
can be easily removed and replaced by other blades or bits as circumstances may
require.
We are aware that several inventions have been patented for the construction of
miners' picks and similar tools with interchangeable bits or points, and we lay no claim
to novelty to such general mode of construction, the essential features of our invention
being the particular method of construction by which we effect this object which is
as follows,
The head of our improved pick we construct with an eye or socket to secure the
haft in a manner similar to that employed in the construction of ordinary picks which
are not provided with removable or interchangeable points, the head however is
formed with stumped ends without points. In each stumped end we form an
elongated open ended slot, at the bottom of this slot we form a recess. or socket.
Into this slot or jaw and socket we place the shank of a removable bit or point which
is formed to fit the same, and when so placed it is further secured in position by means
of a set-screw which passes through one side of the jaw and the shank of the bit, and
partly through the other side of the jaw, in such a way that when screwed up, the
head of the set-screw is flush with the head of the pick.
The slot in the head herein described, is formed at right angles to the haft of the
pick so that when the point or points are secured into the head the leverage which
may be exercised from the handle of the pick to the point, is transmitted through the
top and bottom jaw of the slot in the head and through the shank of the movable bit.
or point already described.
The shoulders on each side of the shank of the bit are formed to bed upon the
stumped ends of the head so as to form a sufficient resisting surface to the blows
transmitted from the point to the head. The lateral motion of the point is resisted
between the shoulders of the point or bit, and the shank end which fits into the socket
in the head, so that the only stress upon the set-screw is to resist the tendency of the
point to drop or be pulled out of the slot and socket.
It will be seen from the foregoing description that a pick made according to our
improved mode of construction, may be provided with a number of duplicate bits or
points, any of which may be firmly secured into position for use, or readily removed
and replaced as circumstances may require. The loose bits may be made of superior
quality of material to the head, and may be hardened and prepared for use quite
independent of the head with which they are used.
Dated this 14th day of August 1896.
R. HEBER RADFORD,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: We, ALFRED MUSCROFT, of Mount Pleasant, Conisborough, Miner, and JOHN
PAGDIN, of Doncaster Road, Conisborough, Grocer, both in the County of York, do
hereby declare the nature of our said invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
Although our invention is applicable to a great variety of hand tools, it is more
particularly adapted to implements for mining and the like purposes, such as for
example, picks, pick-axes, mattocks and the like.
The object of our invention is to construct such implements with loose blades or
bits fitting into the bead in such a way that when they become worn or broken they
can be easily removed and replaced by other blades or bits as circumstances may
réquire.
We are aware that several inventions have been patented for the construction of
miners' picks and similar tools with interchangeable bits or points, and we lay no
claim to novelty to such general mode of construction, the essential features of our
invention being the particular method of construction by which we effect this object,
which is as follows.
The nature of our invention will be better understood on reference to the accom-
panying sheet of drawings, in which,
Fig. 1, is a side elevation of the head of one of our improved picks.
Fig. 2, being an end view, and
- Fig. 3, a plan of the same.
Fig. 4, is a side elevation of a slightly modified form of head,
Fig. 5, being an end view, and
Fig. 6, a plan of the same.
Fig. 7, is a side elevation of a removable blade or bit adapted for use with the head
shewn in Figs. 1, 2 & 3.
Fig. &, being a plan of the same.
Fig. 9, is a side elevation of a loose blade or bit adapted for use with a modified
form of head shewn in Figs. 4, 5 & 6.
Fig. 10, being a plan of the same.
Fig. 11, is a side view of one of our improved picks, the interchangeable blades or
bits being fixed in the head ready for use.
Fig. 12, being a plan of the same.
The same letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
The head, A, of our improved pick we construct with an eye or socket, B, to
secure the haft, C, in a manner similar to that employed in the construction of
ordinary picks which are not provided with removable or interchangeable bits or
points, the head however is formed with stumped ends without points. In each
stumped end we form an elongated open ended slot, D, at the bottom of this slot we
form a recess or socket, E. Into this slot or jaw and recess or socket, E, we place
the shank of a removable bit or point, F, which is formed to fit the same and when
so placed it is further secured in position by means of a set-screw, G, which passes
through one side of the jaw and the shank of the bit, and partly through the other
side of the jaw, in such a way that when screwed up, the head of the set-screw is
Bush with the head of the pick.
The slot in the head herein described, is formed at right angles to the haft of the
pick so that when the point or points are secured into the head the leverage which
may be exercised from the handle of the pick to the point, is transmitted through the

page_text: top and bottom jaw of the slot, D, in the head and through the shank of the movable-
bit or point, F, already described.
The shoulders on each side of the shank of the bit or point are formed to bed upon
the stumped ends of the head so as to form a sufficient resisting surface to the blows.
transmitted from the point to the head. The lateral motion of the point is resisted
between the shoulders of the point or bit, and the shank end which fits into the
recess or socket, E, in the head, so that the only stress upon the set-screw is to resist
the tendency of the point to drop or be pulled out of the slot and socket.
It will be seen from the foregoing description that a pick made according to our
improved mode of construction, may be provided with a number of duplicate bits or
points, any of which may be firmly secured into position for use, or readily removed
and replaced as circumstances may require. The loose bits may be made of superior-
quality of material to the head, and may be hardened and prepared for use quite
independent of the head with which they are used.
As a modification of the arrangement herein described for fixing the loose bits or
points in the head, in lieu of the recess or socket, E, in the head, we form a vertical
rib, H, at the bottom of the slot, D, and on the end of the shank of the removable bit.
or point, F, we form a notch, I, so that when it is in position in the slot, D, the-
vertical rib, H, fits into the said notch, I, the lateral motion of the point or bit being
resisted between the shoulders of the bit or point and the end of the shank which fits.
onto the rih, H, as already described.
Instead of the set-screw herein previously described we sometimes employ a.
cotter, J, as shewn in the drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is,
1. In picks, pick-axes and the like hand tools which are provided with loose, blades
bits or points fitting into the head; the particular method of construction by means of
which the loose blades, bits or points are fitted and secured into the head in the
manner and for the purposes substantially as herein described and illustrated in.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 11 and 12.
2. In picks, pick-axes and the like hand tools which are provided with loose blades
bits or points fitting into the head; the particular method of construction by means
of which the loose blades, bits or points are fitted and secured into the heads in the
manner and for the purposes substantially as herein described and illustrated in.
Figs. 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Dated this 14th day of May 1897.
R. HEBER RADFORD,
Agent for the Applicants.