IMPROVEMENTS IN SCREW APPLIANCES FOR JOINING PARTS OF FURNITURE AND OTHER STRUCTURES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Griffith Brewer, of Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SCREW APPLIANCES FOR
JOINING PARTS OF FURNITURE AND OTHER STRUCTURES." A communication.
from abroad by Albert Jean Baptiste Meaux and Leon Martin Lecuyer, of Paris,
France.
Sealed the 17th January 1879, and dated the 20th July 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Griffith Brewer at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th July 1878.
Edward GriffiTH BREWER, of Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SCREW APPLIANCES FOR JOINING PARTS OF FURNITURE AND
OTHER STRUCTURES." (A communication from abroad by Albert Jean Baptiste
Meaux and Leon Martin Lecuyer, of Paris, France.)
This Invention refers to a screw appliance chiefly intended for putting together
and disconnecting articles of furniture, such as bedsteads, wardrobes, bookcases, and
other articles. In external appearance it is much the same as those of ordinary
construction.
"
In these screws as now made at each half revolution at most it is necessary to
change the spindle or tommy" from hole to hole, as well for screwing up as for
unscrewing, which entails a considerable loss of time, but with this improved screw,
once the spindle or tommy" is engaged in one of the holes of the screw, it can be
screwed to the bottom without rendering it necessary to change the spindle from
the hole, whereby great economy of time is effected.
"
This screw is composed of the following chief pieces or parts:-The chief screw
rod to the bolt, ratchets, washers, spring, ferrule, and nut. To the bolt or screw a

page_text: washer or shoulder is fixed or forged. Above this it is formed with two circular
parts to carry an upper and a lower ratchet washer, which both turn loosely on the
aforesaid circular portions, and between the two on the same spindle there is a
square portion on which two other ratchet washers are mounted, and between these
two latter washers there is a helical spring. The whole is covered by a ferrule, and
the top is closed by a nut, which is screwed on to the end of the rod. The ratchet
washers are cut in contrary directions, so that by turning one way one of them
would be only engaged, according as to whether it is wanted to screw or unscrew.
Three or more holes are bored in the circumference of the washers, the three
agreeing with the four teeth of the ratchets, so as to have a certain amount of
latitude; thus, for example, if there are five teeth in the ratchet instead of four, it
would be well to provide four holes instead of three.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Griffith Brewer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
20th January 1879.
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER, of Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SCREW APPLIANCES FOR JOINING PARTS OF FURNITURE AND
OTHER STRUCTURES." (A communication from abroad by Albert Jean Baptiste
Meaux and Leon Martin Lecuyer, of Paris, France.)
This Invention refers to a screw appliance chiefly intended for putting together
and disconnecting articles of furniture, such as bedsteads, wardrobes, bookcases, and
other articles. In external appearance it is much the same as those of ordinary
construction.
In these screws as now made at each half revolution at most it is necessary to
change the spindle or "tommy" from hole to hole, as well for screwing up as for
unscrewing, which entails a considerable loss of time, but with this improved screw,
once the spindle or "tommy" engaged in one of the holes of the screw, it can be
screwed to the bottom without rendering it necessary to change the spindle from __
the hole, whereby great economy of time is effected.
The accompanying Drawings illustrate how the Invention is carried into effect.
Figure 1 shows the screw appliance complete.
Figure 2 is a view of the bolt; Figure 3, plan of same; and Figure 4 is a view
of same appliance without ring.
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are views of parts in detail referred to hereafter.
Similar letters of reference refer to like parts in all the Figures.
This screw is composed of the following chief pieces or parts:-The chief screw
rod a to the bolt, ratchets, washers, spring, ferrule, and nut. To the bolt or screw a
washer or shoulder a¹ is fixed or forged. Above this it is formed with two circular
parts a² and as to carry an upper and a lower ratchet washer b and b', one of which
is shown in side view and plan at Figures 5 and 6, which both turn loosely on the
aforesaid circular portion a², a³, and between the two on the same spindle there is a
square portion at, on which two other ratchet washers c and c¹, one of which is
shown in side view and plan at Figures 7 and 8, are mounted, and between these two
latter washers there is a helical spring d. The whole is covered by a ferrule e, shown
in section at Figure 9, and the top is closed by a nut a³, shown detached at Figure 10,
which is screwed on to the end of the rod a. The ratchet washers b, 61, and c, c',
are cut in contrary directions, so that by turning one way one of them, b or c,
would be only engaged, according as to whether it is wanted to screw or unscrew.
Three or more holes f are bored in the circumference of the washers, the three
agreeing with the four teeth of the ratchets so as to have a certain amount of
latitude; thus, for example, if there are five teeth in the ratchet instead of four, it
would be well to provide four holes instead of three.
The washers instead of being circular may be prismatic, in which case the sides
of the prism take the place of the holes f, and a key instead of a spindle is
employed.
This screw is then composed substantially of eight pieces, viz., the principal rod,
screw, or bolt a, the two movable ratchet washers b and b', the two fixed ratchet
washers c and c¹, the spring d, the washer e, and the bolt a³.
The Invention is not limited to use for furniture; it may be used in the con-
struction of same, and for mechanical work generally where the appliance is
applicable.
In many cases it is easier to employ a simple spindle than a key,
Modifications too of the appliance are susceptible of being made without departing
from the Invention,

page_text: Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim the construction and employment of
screw appliances, consisting in combination of screw bolt, movable and fixed washers,
spring with ring, and bolt, operating substantially as herein-before described, and
illustrated with reference to the accompanying Drawings, together with any mere
modification or modifications thereof.
In witness whereof, I; the said Edward Griffith Brewer, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
E. G. BREWER. (LS.)