An Implement for use in Transplanting Plants and for other similar Purposes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 12th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 7th June, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Implement for use in Transplanting Plants and for other
similar Purposes.
I FREDERICK WILLIAM BARKER of 151 Strand, Middlesex, Patent Agent (a com-
munication to me from abroad by Richard Foster of Cazenovia County of Madison
and State af New York United States of America inventor) do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This my invention relates to an improvement in transplanting implements; and
the object of my invention is to produce an implement consisting of two pivoted
spring actuated trowels adapted to be opened by hand or foot and closed by the action
of a spring, and which is especially adapted for transplanting plants, planting bulbs,
and seeds of all kinds and which is also adapted for digging post-holes and of which
the following is a description.
The handle which is provided with a longitudinal aperture of any suitable length,
and is provided at its lower end with a metallic or other suitable ferrule. Extending
downward from the ferrule and suitably curved, so as to form a U are supporting
arms between which the trowels-two in number-are pivoted. Passing through the
lower ends of these arms through the inwardly extending portion of the trowels at
their upper ends, and through suitable arms near their centres is a shaft. By this
construction the trowels are provided with a support at their upper sides thus not
placing the wholes of the strain upon the upper ends of the lastnamed arms and
which makes a very desirable and strong construction. The lower ends of the last
named arms are rigidly secured to the trowels in any suitable manner, and are
crossed at the centre. Loosely connected to the upper ends of these arms are links
which extend upward and inward and have their upper ends pivoted in the lower
end of a sliding rod. Placed within a longitudinal aperture in the handle is a spring
of suitable length and strength the lower end of which is connected to the sliding
rod aforesaid and its upper end fastened to a suitable pin passing transversely
through the handle near the upper end of said aperture. The tension of the spring
is upward thus holding the trowels in a closed position. A suitable operating handle
is provided by means of which the sliding rod is pushed downward forcing the lower
ends of the links and the upper ends of the arms outward, thus throwing their lower
ends outward, carrying with them the trowels.
While the invention is here described as a trowel for transplanting purposes, it
may be used as an ordinary trowel by locking the trowels open, or as a post-bole
digger by lengthening the handle. It will be seen that after the trowels have been opened
and forced into the ground the tension of the spring automatically closes them
holding the soil between them. When it is being used as a posthole digger, in which
case the handle is lengthened the operating handle will be operated by foot for
forcing the trowels open.
The thin wrth da- of November 1880
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Implement for use in Transplanting Plants and for other
similar Purposes.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM BARKER of 151 Strand, Middlesex, Patent Agent, de
hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication to me from abroad by

page_text: Richard Foster of Cazenovia, County of Madison and State of New York United
States of America, Inventor), and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to an improvement in transplanting implements; and the
object of my invention is to produce an implement consisting of two pivoted spring-
actuated trowels adapted to be opened by hand or foot and closed by the action of a
spring, and which is especially adapted for transplanting plants, planting bulbs and
seeds of all kinds and which is also adapted for digging post-holes, and of which
the following is a description.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of an implement embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is
a vertical section thereof, taken at right angles to Fig. 1.
A indicates the handle, which is provided with a longitudinal aperture of any
suitable length, and is provided at its lower end with a metallic or other suitable.
ferrule C. Extending downwards from the ferrule and suitably curved, as shown,
so as to form a U, are the supporting arms D, between which the trowels F are
pivoted. Passing through the lower ends of these arms D, through the inwardly-
extending portion N of the trowels at their upper ends, and through the arms F near
their centres, is the shaft G. By this construction the trowels are provided with a
support at their upper sides, thus not placing the whole of the strain upon the upper
ends of the arms F, and which makes a very desirable and strong construction.
Were it not for this construction, the whole of the strain placed upon the trowels
when forcing them into the ground would be upon the arms F at their point of
attachment to the trowels, which would either result in wrenching or breaking out
of the trowels at that point or a breaking of the arms themselves. The lower ends
of the arms F are rigidly secured to the trowels in any suitable manner, and are
crossed at the centre, as shown. Loosely connected to the upper ends of these
arms are the links H, which extend upward and inward and have their upper ends
pivoted in the lower end of the sliding rod I. Placed within the longitudinal
aperture B is a spring J. of suitable length and strength, the lower end of which is
connected to the rod I and its upper end fastened to the pin L, passing transversely
through the handle near the upper end of said aperture. The tension of the spring
is upward, thus holding the trowels E in the position shown in solid lines. Mindi-
cates an operating-handle, by means of which the rod I is pushed downward,
forcing the lower ends of the links H and the upper ends of the arms F outward,
thus throwing their lower ends outward, carrying with them the trowels, as shown in
dotted lines.
While the invention is here shown as a trowel for transplanting purposes, it
may be used as an ordinary trowel by locking the trowels open in the position
shown in dotted lines, or as a post-hole digger by lengthening the handle. It will
be seen that after the trowels have been opened and forced into the ground the
tension of the spring automatically closes them, holding the dirt between them.
When it is being used as a post-hole digger, in which case the handle is lengthened,
the operating handle M will be operated by foot for forcing the trowel open.
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:
1. The combination of the handle having a longitudinal recess, the downwardly-
extending and outwardly-curved supporting-arms, the trowels having their upper
ends extending between the ends of said arms, the crossed operating-arms having
their lower ends connected to the trowels, the shaft passing through the crossed
arms near their centres, the upper ends of the trowels and the supporting-arms,
the connecting-links, the spring, and the rod connecting the links and the spring,
substantially as shown.
2. The combination of the handle having a longitudinal aperture, the spring

page_text: placed therein, the sliding rod, the operating-handle connected thereto, the arms
crossed at their centre, and having their lower ends connected to the trowels, the
connecting links, the supporting-arms extending downwards and curved outward
from the lower end of the handle, and the shaft passing through the trowels, the
operating-arms at their point of intersection and the supporting-arms, substantially
as described.
FREDERICK WILLIAM BARKER.
By his Agents, Horn & Son.