Improvements in Bodkins.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Feb., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 1st June, 1895-Accepted, 6th July, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bodkins.
FREDERICK THOMAS SAVAGE 21 Hartisinere Road Walham Green Fulham
Machine Printer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
For my improvements take two pieces of thin steel the length and width of the
finished bodkin or one piece twice the length of the bodkin bent into two equal
parts they are fastened together about half their length they then form a kind of
tweezers on the free ends, hooks are formed turned inwards the ends are made to
spring together so that when a ribbon or tape is placed between them it is caught
on the hooks and held secure the outside beeing flat and smooth and no obstruction
it will carry the ribbon or tape &c. flat and smoothly through the material. For
cords &c. take a half round tubular piece of steel to form a kind of sheath in the
hollow part of the sheath is placed a thin steel wire not quite so long as the sheath
they are fastened together about half their length on the free end of the wire a
hook is formed turned inwards the wire is made to spring close to the sheath by
lifting the wire and placing the cord in the hollow of the sheath and the wire
allowed to spring back on the cord &c. the hook will hold it secure while passing
through the material.
Dated this 25th day of February 1895.
FREDERICK THOMAS SAVAGE.
I, FREDERICK THOMAS SAVAGE of 21 Hartismere Road, Fulham, Machine
Printer, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in bodkins or instruments for drawing
tape, cord or other materials through textile and other fabrics.
The improvements consist in constructing the bodkin of two parts, or with two
blades or bars, one of which or both are formed of some resilient or springy metal
or material, and both are united at one end as in the case of tweezers or forceps,
and have their unfastened ends so shaped and tempered as to cling tightly together
and grip anything placed between them.
Near the end which opens, talons, points or hooks are formed preferably by
punching out small pieces of the material or metal, and turning them inwards or in
any other suitable way so as to assist in holding the fabric or cord placed between
them.
The blades may be of any preferred section such as for instance flat or semi-
circular and may if preferred be notched so as to form a recess to receive the
thumb-nail or point of a scissors, in order to open them easily.

page_text: When intended to receive a cord or thread, one blade of the instrument is curved
so as to form a semi-tubular blade.
The other blade may be similarly curved or may be a small tube or wire fitting
in the curved blade, but in all cases connected together at one end. Or one end of
In the same
a blade may be a solid round wire and the other a semi-circular wire.
way a tube closed in at the front end and connected to the curved blade, may
terminate in a semi-circular tube at the rear.
I will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which,
Fig. 1 shows a side view of one form of my improved bodkin adapted for cord or
thread. The detaining hook is shewn in dotted lines.
Fig. 2 shows an enlarged cross section of same on the line - of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shows a plan view of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 shows the above bodkin in perspective elevation with the hook held open
by a pin as shewn.
Fig. 5 shows a plan view and side elevation of a larger form of this bodkin.
The difference between same and the one before described, consists in the bar or
hook blade, which starts at one end in the form of a small tube, having its upper
side flattened for about half its length, thus forming a semicircular blade lying in a
semi-tubular channel, as shewn in section in Fig. 6.
Fig. 6 shows a cross section of the above bodkin on the line y- of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a second form of bodkin, used for pulling tape
and other flat materials which are indicated by dotted lines. The bodkin as shewn
is held open by a pin, while the tape is inserted.
Fig. 8 shows a side view of Fig. 7 in the closed position.
Referring to Figures 1. 2 and 3
TE
a is a channel or semi-tubular blade for about half its length, the remainder
being curved around the end of the hooked rod, in order to detain the rod and
hook in place.
b is a short springy rod or tube, with a hook 6' at its outer end held in place in
the semi-tubular blade a. The hook 'serves to engage with the thread or strand
of wool, cotton or other material.
c is a small depression in the sides of the channel a to permit the finger nail or
a pin to enter and raise the hooked rod b.
Referring to Figs. 5 and 6 there is very little difference between the bodkiu
shewn therein, and the one before described. The difference consists mainly of
the hooked bar being tubular and flattened out on its upper edge, for about half its
entire length.
111
"Referring to Figs. 7 and 8
dd are two thin strips of spring steel fastened together at one end and nearly to
the middle, by pins, or rivets or in any other suitable way, the other end being left
free to open, as shewn in Fig. 7.
'
L
ee are short tongues or talons punched out from the steel strips d d so as to
project inwards.
As shewn in Fig. 7 some of these may be punched out of the lower blade and
some out of the upper. One set'of' hooks preferably occupying the space between
the other set.
Thus when a piece of tape or cord is to be connected to the bodkin, it is only
necessary to open the spring jaws d' place the materiál between them, and press
the jaws close together when they will clip the tape and hold it firmly against a
smart pull or strain.
To facilitate the threading operation, a pin may be inserted, as shewn in Figs. 4
and 7.
"It will be seen that the form of instrument in Figs. 1. 3. 4 and 5 is shewn
furnished with one hook b. Two or more hooks may be used if required, or they
may be supplemented by corrugations or corresponding recesses, to assist the grip
of the blades.
5

page_text: When tongues are formed as shewn in Figs. 7 and 8 they are preferably
V shaped, and their points are bent inwards so as to engage with the material
inserted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. An instrument serving as a bodkin or needle consisting of two parts or blades,
one or both of which are springy or elastic, said parts being connected at the
front end, and furnished with hooks, tongues, or talons, or indented with
corrugations at the rear end; said blades are caused to meet tightly together at
the rear end, so as to pinch and detain any material placed between them, as herein
described and set forth.
Dated this 1st day of June 1895
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97 Newgate Street, London, Agent for Applicant.