IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HANDLES FROM HOLLOW TIPS, AND IN THE MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1884

page_text: I THOMAS RICHARDSON ELLIN of Arundel Street, Sheffield in the County of
York Cutlery Manager do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HANDLES FROM HOLLOW TIPS, AND IN
THE MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of handles for cutlery
from the hollow tips of horns, by which they are prevented from splitting and are
also improved in appearance, it also relates to the machinery for shaping and
otherwise operating upon the tips to prepare them for the caps, the said machinery
being also applicable to shaping other handles, and obtaining the best results in size
and shape with rapidity and precision.
In carrying my invention into practice I construct a Machine as follows; Upon
a Gantry or bed of suitable length I fix a right and a lefthand headstock the
spindles of which may be traversed in their bearings to and from each other either
simultaneously or separately, the length of traverse being determined by adjustable
stops. Suitable cutters are attached to the nozzils of the spindles, and in an
intermediate position between the headstocks I fix a centreing vice for holding the
tip or handle to be operated upon by the cutters. I prefer to make the vice with
two pairs of jaws, so that the tip or handle may be gripped at a short distance
from each end. The jaws are closed by a lever motion or other mechanical
equivalent, causing each pair of jaws to advance independently to allow for any
irregularity in the shape of the handle or tip, each jaw to advance equally with its
fellow, in such a manner that the centres of the tips or handles will always be held
concentric with the spindles. The position of the tip or handle between the cutters
is found by means of an adjustable gauge against which the tip is placed while
closing the vice, the movement of the vice also removes the gauge out of the way
of the cutter.
When the tip is gripped by the vice, the cutters are advanced so as to operate
upon each end of the tip or handle and the desired shape is quickly produced.
The cutters are then drawn back, the vice opened, the shaped tip replaced by
another and the operation repeated with rapidity and accuracy.

page_text: In my improved method of utilising the hollow tips I shape (as before described)
the small end to suit the requirements of the hafter, and at the large or hollow end
I reduce the diameter a little so as to leave a shoulder, the middle being turned to
match by any ordinary process. I close the hollow end by means of a metallic cap
by preference made conical and having a flange corresponding in its inner diameter
to the reduced portion of the hollow end of the tip or handle, so that it will fit
tightly down upon the shoulder before mentioned, and be secured by cross pins, or
the tang of the article, or by other means. When a Cap of wood, horn, celluloid
or other similar material is required I use a flange of metal fitting up to the
shoulder on the handle and projecting in a similar manner onto the cap to such an
extent as appearance or strength may require.

page_text: When a tip is gripped in the vice, the spindles (while revolving) are advanced
by moving the handle R, until the cutters have performed their work, which is
very quickly done; the cutters are then drawn back, and the pressure of the foot
taken off the treadle S, when the action of the springs O, reverses the screws K
and opens the vice.
Hollow tips vary very much in shape both internally and externally, the hollow
often leaving a thick and thin side as shown in the drawings, the outside is also
unequal, and the object is to obtain the best handle both in size and shape from
such tips, and to make them strong and of good appearance.
To accomplish this, I place a tip in the machine before described, and shape the
small end to suit the requirements of the hafter, at the same time reducing the
large or hollow and slightly for a short distance so as to form a neck, with
a shoulder T, the centre part U, being turned down, and the hole for the tang
bored in the usual way.
I close the open end by means of a metallic cap V; of a conical shape by
preference, and having a flange W, which fits tightly on the neck of the tip and to
which it may be secured by crosspins, or by passing the tang of the article through
it, as shown. The Cap may be perforated, and filled in with some ornamental
material as in Fig. 7.
Fig. 8. The inside of this tip has been turned, as well as the outside, and a wood,
horn, or other plug is used instead of a metallic cap, a ring or flange encircling
both the horn tip and the plug.
In Fig: 9, the metallic cap is flat, having a centre hole, through which a short
plug turned on the horn or wood cap, fits tightly, this plan is useful when the tip
runs very thin at the edges.
Fig. 10, represents a Cap of more valuable material, attached to the handle in
a manner somewhat similar to that of Fig. 9, but requiring less of the valuable
material, the plug being dispensed with.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1st The improvements in the construction of handles from hollow tips, as herein-
before described and illustrated.
2. In the construction of bandles from hollow tips the use of a metallic flanged
cap V, fitting upon or round a neck formed upon the hollow end of the tip,
substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
3. In the construction of handles from hollow tips, the use of a machine for
shaping and preparing the tips, as herein described and illustrated, having
a vice arranged to hold the taper tips in a position concentric with the
cutter spindles, for the purpose specified.
4th The Machine as herein described and illustrated.
Dated the 15th day of November 1884.