IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RESTS FOR KNIVES, FORKS, AND SPOONS
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John O'Connell Cave, of Weston-super-Mare, in
the County of Somerset, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF RESTS FOR KNIVES, FORKS, AND SPOONS."
Sealed the 13th August 1875, and dated the 17th February 1875.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said John O'Connell Cave at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 17th February 1875, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
O'CONNELL CAVE, of Weston-super-Mare, in the County of Somerset,
send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF RESTS FOR KNIVES, FORKS, AND SPOONS," and have
petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have made
solemn Declaration that I am the true and first Inventor thereof.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John O'Connell Cave, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and
seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following
statement, that is to say:-
My said Invention consists in the construction of an improved "rest"
for the carving knife and fork, and also for the spoon when being used
at table, the object thereof being to prevent such articles from slipping
on or into the dish, and also to avoid the necessity of having to remove
the same from the dish in order to place them on an ordinary rest.
The apparatus is formed of two parts. One of such parts consists of a
spring clasp or clip formed of any suitable metal, and which is passed or
slipped on to or over the edge or rim of the dish. The inner surfaces of
the said clasp or clip have, by preference, leather or some other suitable
material attached thereto, for the purpose of ensuring and retaining a
better and tighter hold of the edge or rim of the dish. To the last-
mentioned clasp or clip is attached or fixed either rectangularly,
transversely, or otherwise another clasp or clip of a suitable shape for
receiving and retaining hold of the handles of the before-mentioned
articles; or to the first-mentioned clasp or clip is attached or fixed,
either rectangularly, transversely, or otherwise, a standard or branch
formed of any suitable metal or material or combination of materials,
and of any desired size and shape. Spring sockets, clasps, or clips are
formed in or attached to such standard or branch, the springs thereof
being of such a degree of strength as to hold the knife, fork, or spoon
when placed therein in the required position and with the requisite
steadiness, thus effecting the object herein-before referred to.
It is obvious that the "rests" may be placed on either side of the dish
or otherwise, as may be desired, and also that the "rests" may be used
for ordinary plates and table knives and forks.
The rests may be ornamented in any desired manner.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would observe in
conclusion that what I consider novel and original, and therefore claim
as constituting my said Invention is, the construction of an improved
"rest" for knives, forks, and spoons, substantially as and for the

page_text: purposes herein-before described and set forth, or any mere modifications
thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said John O'Connell Cave, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of February, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five.
JOHN O'CONNELL CAVE. (L.S.)