IMPROVEMENTS IN SHOVELS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SHOVELS." A communication from abroad by Henry
Wardwell Shepard, of Brooklyn, and Robert Seaman, of the City of New
York, both in the State of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 21st December 1876, and dated the 6th November 1876.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th November 1876.
"
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. IMPROVEMENTS IN SHOVELS." -A communica-
tion from abroad by Henry Wardwell Shepard, of Brooklyn, and Robert Seaman,
of the City of New York, both in the State of New York, United States of
America.
The object of the present Invention is the construction of a shovel in which
both the plate and rim are formed of one piece of sheet metal and the handle riveted
or otherwise securely attached to both plate and rim. It also comprises the con-
struction of the plate, rim, and handle of one piece of sheet metal.
The nature of this Invention consists in striking up or stamping out of a single
piece of sheet metal the plate and rim of a fire shovel or similar shovel, the forma-
tion being such as to provide a deep groove on the under side of the rim of the
shovel and at its rear, in which groove the handle rests, the same being secured to
the rim and the bottom of the plate by rivets or otherwise.
The said Invention also consists in striking up or stamping out of a single piece
of sheet metal a fire or similar shovel whose handle extends immediately from the
plane or plate of the body of the shovel, the surplus stock which the contracting of
the rim at its rear furnishes being worked up in imparting to the handle a half
round or semicircular form, which form gives great stiffness and strength to the
handle, bracing it in connection with the rim at the point where the greatest strain
is to be borne, and consequently where the greatest strength. is required.
The said Invention also consists in providing the handle with numerous per-
forations for the purpose of keeping the said handle cool,

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shovel constructed according to this Invention
Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line x, x, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan or top view of another form of these shovels; Figure 4 is a
vertical section on the line y, y, Figure 3.
A is the plate; C, the rim; and B, the handle of the shovel.
In Figures 1 and 2 the plate and rim are formed of one piece of sheet metal,
the rim being provided at the rear of the shovel with a deep wide groove c. In
this groove the handle B being bent at its lower section, as shewn at b, Figure 2, is
secured by rivets c¹, c¹, one at the upper section of the groove, and the other under-
neath the plate, as shown in the same Figure, or by other convenient means.
In Figure 3 the plate A, and rim C, and the handle B are all formed of a
single piece of metal. The handle B as will be seen by reference to Figure 3
extends directly from the rear section of the plate A, and is in cross section of the
form shown in Figure 4. In forming the rear section of the rim C there is surplus
metal which I utilize in throwing up a handle of the form shown, and by this half-
round or semicircular form taken in connection with the fact that the handle pro-
ceeds immediately from the plate A, and is as it were braced for a considerable
distance, or to the depth of the rim by said rim as shown at a, a, Figure 3, I obtain
an exceedingly strong and stiff attachment, rendering this handle far more per-
manent and secure than is possible in those shovels in which the handle extends
from the top of the rim. By this Invention the cheap iron known to the trade as
character No. 22 can be used.
All who are familiar with the trade will readily recognize the fact that in con-
structing shovels of this character a much superior and expensive iron has invariably
been used.
By being enabled to use the iron above mentioned I render the shovel not only
cheaper, but at the same time owing to its form of construction I produce a stronger
article. The upper or cylindrical section of the handle is provided with a series of
perforations b', 6', which serve to keep the handle cool, and which is of great con-
venience in handling.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. A shovel whose plate and rim are constructed of a single piece of metal,
and whose handle is attached to both the plate and rim as above described.
Second. A shovel constructed of a single piece of metal with its handle projecting
directly from the blade, the excess of metal left in forming the rim being worked
up to impart a half-round or semicircular form to the handle at its point of union
with the blade, as above described.
Third. A sheet metal shovel whose handle is provided with a series of perforations
as above set forth, and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
W. ROBT, LAKE. (L.S.)