Improvements in or relating to Knife Cleaning Machines
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Knife Cleaning Machines."
I, JAMES OSBORN SPONG, of 226 High Holborn, London, Domestic Appliances
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in Knife Cleaning Machines.
In ordinary Knife Cleaning Machines, there are a fixed number of stop catches
on the edge of the drum which carry the cleaning substances to prevent the drum
being turned the wrong way but these stop catches are so far apart that if Knives
be in position, they become drawn into the Machine which in practice distorts
the blades and cracks or destroys the handles, two very great disadvantages so
often complained of.
Now the first part of my invention is to remedy these defects by shaping a band
or segments of a band which can be affixed to the edge of the drum that the pawl
now used may engage in corrugations or steps with which the band is provided,
such corrugations or steps being preferably produced by a rolling operation with
a plain portion intermittently arranged and with holes, so that the band or parts
of a band can be secured to the drum at the desired parts and be kept in contact
therewith at all parts without, risk of springing up or becoming bulgey in places,
there being a space left between the permanent stop and the end of the band to
allow of the drum having a sufficient back rotation when the pointer is at zero
for the knives to be released ready for removal.
The second part of my invention has for object to facilitate the removal of the
lid or cover for inside inspection. Hitherto the cover has been secured to the
casing from each side by side screws, and the abutting edges have had strips of
metal (usually zinc) to make the seams dust proof.
By my second improvement I dispense with the side screws for the purpose,
and if so desired the zinc strips also by hinging the cover to the barrel part of the
casing at one end, and by fitting a thumb or turn button at the other for locking
it in close contact. In order that the upper part of the casing, back and front,
can be kept secure, I pass long lock nut bolts through it, and these bolts may or
may not form rests for the cover.
The improvements herein given are of importance and are applicable to existing
Machines at a small cost, they can be used singly, or they may be fitted in com-
bination to one Machine.

page_text: 66
Improvements in or relating to Knife Cleaning Machines."
I, JAMES OSBORN SPONG, of 226 High Holborn, London. Domestic Appliances
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 relates to certain improvements in Knife Cleaning Machines.
My invention will be clearly understood by reference to the annexed drawings
in which at Figure 1 I show a portion of the drum and casing of a Knife Cleaning
Machine, Figure 2 being a plan of same with my hinged cover or lid removed.
A, the sides of the casing. B, the circular portion to which the two sides are
attached by screws. C, the drum consisting of two discs having brushes and
leather strips in the usual or other manner secured t their inner faces and locked
on the spindle D by the nuts E, E. so that they rotate therewith when turned by
the crank handle F. One or it may be both of the drum discs carry on the edge
a corrugated .band G in one piece or made up in seginents except at the periphery
where when the handle F is at a fixed part of the casing and usually indicated by
an arrow or star a slight back movement can be given to release the bite on the
knives in order that they can be withdrawn from the Machine and fresh knives
inserted through the slot holes and the handles to rest against the pivotted adjust-
ing stays H, H, three of which are shown on the drawings by way of example.
The band or segments G is only shown on one of the discs and a drop pawl I
bears on and rides over the projections J, J, and dropping into the spaces between
in succession. but which at the least back action of the handle F becomes blocked
and back rotation prevented.
This effectual block or stoppage against back rotation at any part but one of the
revolution of the drum is an important feature of my invention as it prevents
the knives being drawn into the Machine and from being injured and the handles.
cracked as at present from the awkward strain put upon them by such back action.
The second part of my invention in Knife Cleaning Machines is also shown at
Figure 1 consisting of a portion K of the circular portion of the casing being
separately affixable by a hinged joint at L, so that that portion may be turned up
for inspection of the interior when so desired otherwise it is kept closed by the
knob and screw appliance M, the point of which can be forced into contact with
the plate N on the lift portion K, the screw being passed through a bracket P
secured to a fixed portion of the circular casing B.
The two sides A, A, of the casing usually has a number of headed screws passed
through it and into the circular portion B and I still adopt this method of secur-
ing the fixed circular part and the sides, but where my fold up lid K is applied
and side screws would be inconvenient, I employ one or more screw bolts Q to
prevent the upper portions of the two side pieces A, A, from warping, said bolt or
bolts Qbeing so arranged as to position that they form a rest for the cover K and
assist in retaining the shape of said cover or lid when the knob screw M fixes it.
R is the frame of the Machine by which it can be fixed to a table or bench.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In a Knife Cleaning Machine, a corrugated band G or segments of such on
the periphery of one or both discs C constituting the drum and the drón nawl I

page_text: as the means or appliances for preventing back rotation as described and sub-
stantially as shown on the annexed drawings.
2. In a Knife Cleaning Machine, the employment of a hinged lid or cover as
part of the circular casing and securing the same by a screw pressure appliance as
set forth and substantially as represented for the purpose set forth.
3. In a Knife Cleaning Machine, the employment of belts Q, in the coverable
gap of the circular part of a casing for retaining the rigidity of the two sides and
as supports for a lid or cover as and in the manner described and substantially
as shown.
The 10th day of October fo1.
H. GARDNER
Patent Agent, 166 Fleet Street, London.
Agent for the said :-
J. O. Spong.