An Improvement in Spades that will Render them More Easy of Carriage for Military or other Purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Apr., 1887
Complete Left, 8th Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 27th Jan., 1888
An Improvement in Spades that will Render them More Easy of
Carriage for Military or other Purposes.
HENRY MCCLINTICK ALEXANDER Rear Admiral Grafton Lawn, The Park,
Cheltenham do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
--
I make my spade shaft of steel, or of iron, or of any other material and of any
requisite size: On the end of my spade shaft I form a joint that will act as a hinge
for my spade. I then make my spade blade of any size, or shape, convenient seperate
from the shaft. On the head of the spade where it is to join the shaft. I form an eye
that will fit into the aforesaid joint on my spade shaft end: I then bolt thei
together so that my spade blade will hinge, or fold down along the spade shaft and
will back as required for carriage or for use. On the back of my spade, and
open
near the hinge I pivot a tongue, or tail, of metal so that it will come round and will
lay along the spade shaft over the joint: While on the spade shaft 1 fit a running
ring that will slip down over the aforesaid tongue, or tail, which will secure the spade
open for digging.
When I withdraw the ring & free the tongue it will turn to the right or left, and
the hinge will be loosed and the spade will fold down reducing the length to be
carried by the length of the spade blade.
I may also form my space handle so as to use it as a hammer on one side, chizel on
the other, or form it in any way I please. I may also use more rings than one and
put any fittings on them to aid the grip in digging, or for carriage at the belt of
the user.
Dated this 27th day of April 1887.
HENRY MCC. ALEXANDER.

page_text: Carriage for Military or other Purposes.
HENRY MCCLINTIOK ALEXANDER Rear Admiral (Retired List) Grafton Lawn,
The Park Cheltenham do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
imanner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
In making my Hinged Spule, or Shovel, I proceed to form it from five parts, using
Tron and Steel, or other metals for my purpose as follows-
1st. As to my Spade Shaft-No. 1 of my Drawing.
2nd. As to the Spade Blade-No. 5 and 6.
3rd. As to the Joining Piece that works as hingo and attaches the Blade to the
shaft No. 2 and 3 of Drawing.
4th. The Bolt No. 3 that will keep the Spade open: (laying over the hinge then).
5th. The Locking Ring, or Sliding Keeper, that secures the "Bolt" and the Spade
ready for digging, all of which I describe particularly below, No. 4 of Drawing.
1st. As to my Spade Shaft I make it of Iron, or of Steel, or other metal, solid or
hollow as the invention may require, and of any requisite sizo thickness, or shape,
using the common form of a cross at the handle. While on the other end, or point
of my Spade Shaft, I form a Cross Head with two short arms at right angles to the
Spade Shaft Round which arms the Hinge, or Socket, will be formed from tho
Joining Pieco aforesaid (Part "3") as Nos. 1-6 and 7 of Drawings show.
2nd. As to my Spade, or Shovel, Blade I make it of Steel, or Iron, of any con-
venient size, shape, or thickness: and I join it to the "Joining Piece " by rivets, or any
other convenient means.
"
3rd. As to my Joining Piece patch, or clout that is to connect the aforesaid Spade
Blade to my Spade Shaft at the Hinge, I shape it so that it will loop round each of
the aforesaid Arms" that I have formed at right angles to and on my Spade Shaft
point. It will be rivitted to my Spade Blade to the base of the Spade and, inside of
which, between the aforesaid Blade and the joining patch, or clout, the "Bolt" (No. 4)
will be socketed (throughy and be secured from slipping out by a Head, on the inside.
4th. As to my Bolt," I socket it through the joining patel, or clout aforesaid,
and in the manner described (in No. 3 above), so that it will have free play to turn
from left to right, and will lay along the Spade Shaft and will keep the Spade open
for digging, and will rest with its point turned down when the Spade is not in use
and is hanging in a belt from a prolongation which I form on my Keeper."
1
5th. As to my Locking Ring or Sliding Keeper, I make it so that it will slide
over the point of the aforesaid Bolt when its point is in a line with my Spade Shaft
and will keep the Spade open and ready for digging when firmly grasped by the
digger.
On this Sliding Keeper I form a prolongation which lays along the Spade Shaft,

page_text: and aids the grip of the hand; and may also be used for the purpose of carrying the
Spade, when closed, in a soldier's or diggers Belt.
It will be understood from the above description that my Hinged Spade will be
reduced by the length of the Blade when closed, and when hanging to the waist belt,
as No. 9 of Drawing. That my shaft handle, being of Iron or Steel, may be used
for forming into some useful shape, such as a chizle, or hammer, or any other form
that I may hammer it to, or form it into, for use.
The novelty claimed being-
1st. The Hinge, its conception (so far as I know). Its application here in the
manner specified.
2nd. The method of hinge in the application to this invention.
3rd. The method of Bolting; Locking; and Carrying the Spade.
4th. The use of Iron or Steel for the Handle and Shaft: as applied here (or other
metal).
In conclusion claim an additional plan for my
the ordinary Eye and Bolts for the plan adopted
as shown in caso No. 11 of Drawing.
Hinge if I think right to substitute
or to use it also if I think proper,