A Tool for Breaking Ice.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 24th June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 29th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 5th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Tool for Breaking Ice.
I ALEXANDER WILLOUGHBY MONTGOMERY-MOORE Patent Pipe Cleaner Manufacturer
of 36 Burton Crescent London W.C. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
A tube with covers at either end having in their centres a hole through which
a steel needle pointed at one end and having a handle or buffer at the other
passes.
In the cover through which the pointed end passes there are several small
spikes which are pressed against the Ice to be broken and prevent the tool from
slipping.
On that portion of the needle which passes through the tube, is fixed a disc
against which a spiral spring presses the other end of the spring being kept in
position by a similar disc fastened in the tube, this also acts as an additional guide to
the needle.
. The action of the spring is such that when not in use the pointed end of the
needle is concealed in the tube, but when the buffer is pressed it enters the ice to
be broken.
The tool can be made of brass or any other suitable material, except the needle
which is steel.
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Tool for Breaking Ice.
I, ALEXANDER WILLOUGHBY MONTGOMERY-MOORE, of 36 Burton Crescent, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Pipe. Cleaner Manufacturer, 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:-
The object of this invention is to construct a tool for breaking ice in a more effectual
and easy manner than heretofore.
The invention consists of a tube with covers at either end having in their centres
a hole through which a steel needle pointed' at one end and having a handle or buffer
at the other, passes.
In the cover through which the pointed end of the needle passes there are several
small spikes which are pressed against the ice to be broken and prevent the tool from
slipping.
On that portion of the needle which passes through the tube, is fixed a disc against
which a spiral or other spring presses, the other end of the spring being kept in
position by a similar disc fastened in the tube, this also acts as an additional guide to
the needle.
The action of the spring is such that when not in use, the pointed end of the needle
is concealed in the tube, but when the buffer is pressed it enters the ice to be
broken.
The tool can be made of brass or any other suitable material except the needle
which is steel.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood and carried into
practice, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which similar letters indicate corresponding parts throughout.

page_text: Figure 1 is an elevation and Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the tool; Figures >
and 4 are respectively top and bottom plans of the same, and Figures 5 and 6 are
detail views.
The tube A is externally screw threaded at its extremities B and C as clearly shewn
in the detail view Figure 6 and a disc or collar D is soldered, brazed or otherwise
rigidly affixed to the interior of the tube A so as to form the bottom seating for the
spiral or other spring E as shewn in Figure 2. The bottom cover F is provided with
a collar G internally screw threaded of a diameter and pitch corresponding to the
bottom C of the tube over which it is screwed. On the underside of the cover Fare
four or other number of downwardly projecting spikes or prongs H to be embedded in
the block of ice to form a grip when breaking the same and to steady the tool. A
central aperture J is also formed in the bottom of the cover F to allow of the free
passage of the needle K when required. The top cover L is also provided with
a central aperture to allow free passage of the needle, and an internally screw threaded
collar N is also provided to screw over the top B of the tube. The edges O of both
covers F and L are preferably milled or nicked to form a grip when screwing or
unscrewing by hand.
The needle K has a buffer or push P made in one therewith brazed, soldered or
otherwise rigid-affixed thereto. The said needle may either be made in one piece
and have a disc or collar Q rigid-affixed or it may be made in two parts, each of which
screws into the disc or collar Q as shewn in the drawings, so that a new needle section
can be substituted for the old one when required. The disc or collar Q forms the top
seating for the spiral or other spring E as shewn in Figure 2.
To fit the parts together, the top cover L is threaded on the upper section of the
needle i.e. that part above the disc or collar Q. The said disc or collar Q is then
screwed or otherwise affixed thereto, and the lower or pointed section of the needle is
screwed into the said disc or collar Q. The spiral or other spring E is then threaded
over the needle or otherwise adjusted below the disc Q and the whole inserted in the
tube A, and the point of the needle passed through the central aperture in the fixed
disc or collar D within the tube. The top cover L is then screwed over the upper
end of the tube, and the bottom cover F may then be screwed over the lower end C
of the tube. The tool is now complete, and is operated by first embedding the prongs
or spikes H in the block of ice and striking a smart blow with the hand or otherwise
on the buffer or push P causing the pointed end of the needle K to enter the ice. This
is repeated as often as is required to break the ice.
.
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
The construction of a tool for breaking ice consisting of a tube within which is a
spring controlled needle actuated by depressing a buffer or push on the top of the
needle the said tube being provided with top and bottom covers with central apertures
therein and with downwardly projecting prongs or spikes, all combined and operating
substantially in the manner described aad illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 29th day of August 1889.
"
CASTLE SMITH,
Per F. W. Golby,
Invention” Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, É.C., Agent for the Applicant.