Improved Means of Attaching and Securing Knives, Forks, and the like Implements to their Handles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1893-Accepted, 22nd July, 1893
COMIDELE SI DUIFICATION.
Improved Means of Attaching and Securing Knives, Forks, and the
like Implements to their Handles.
We JOSEPH WESTBY, Congo Works, Pinfold Street, Sheffield, Cutlery
Manufacturer, and JOSEPH WHITFIELD, Elmore Grange, Menston in Wharfedale,
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 our invention is to ensure that the blades of knives, and the like,
shall be almost instantaneously inserted into properly prepared detachable handles,
and by the same movement be securely held firm, without possibility of twisting
round, or becoming loose, or be again removable, until the usual push spring has
been depressed, as is well understood.
In carrying our invention into practice for say a table knife, we proceed as
follows. To any suitable shape of handle, we fit a peculiarly shaped metallic
ferrule, having an extension thereto passing some distance down inside of handle;
for the purpose of carrying a spacing piece (which also acts to make all firm and
fast in the handle) as well as one end of a spring gripper catch. All being shaped
to permit the square or flat tang of a knife to pass freely between and so into the
handle, the blade only requiring to be pushed ciose home against root or bolster
part, whereupon the claws or pins formed upon the spring gripper catch immediately
drop into holes or notches prepared in the upper strong part of tang, or lower part
of bolster, thereby effectually securing the blade at the nearest possible point where
the blade and handle meet.
We are aware that other methods have been tried, or are in use, to enable knife
and other like blades, to be detached from their handles ; we would have it
therefore distinctly understood, that we do not regard or claim the mode of
detaching, as any part of our invention.
And in order that our invention may be properly understood, we now proceed to
refer to, and explain the drawings on sheet hereunto annexed, wherein
Figs. 1 and 2 represent (partly in section) one of our improved ferrules A, with
extension B, spacing piece G, spring gripper catch C, all in actual position for use,
although on an enlarged scale;
Fig. 3, shows a portion of a knife blade E, with its flat tang F, and notches H
in the shoulder to receive the corresponding claws on the gripper catch.
Fig. 4, shows a knife E and handle fitted with ferrule A, all put together and
ready for use.
Fig. 5, represents a distance piece G as shaped ready for rivetting between the
spring and extension piece, the other small views, being end views of the several
parts.
After rivetting or securing the parts B, C, and G together, they are then pushed
into a hole prepared in handle; by means of a punch, the two lips formed in G are
spread out and caused to enter into a recess formed to receive them, or otherwise
to press against the sides of the hole, so as to prevent withdrawal or movement,
without any further operation.
We have only shown one method, or style of formation of ferrules and blades,
but it is obvious that the details may be considerably varied and modified to meet
special requirements. The ferrules may also be ornamented or shaped to any
desired design to better harmonise with special patterns; while the holes or notches
in the blades or tangs, may also be differently shaped and arranged, without in any
way departing from the spirit of our invention.

page_text: 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:
1st. The addition to a knife or other like handle of a ferrule shaped to receive a
portion of the blade, and also carrying an extension to, or upon which a distance
piece, and a gripping spring catch, are formed or secured inside such handles,
substantially as described & illustrated.
2nd. The formation, application, and use of a distance piece operating to secure
and retain all the parts to the handles, substantially as described and illustrated.
3rd. The formation of knife, fork, or other like blades, or implements at their
bolster part, and also at the tangs, with suitable shoulders, notches or holes for the
purposes set forth; or to be used in combination with our improved ferrule and
gripping spring catch, all substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 17th day of May 1893.
ISAAC BECK, C.P.A.,
Agent for the Applicants.