Improvements in Hand Tools.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 31st May, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 28th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 1st Apr., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hand Tools.
I, HENRY SMITH, of 103, Artizan View, Heeley, Sheffield, in the County of
York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as
follows:
My invention relates to what is more commonly known as a combination tool,
that is, a tool which has a handle or holder with which a variety of bits, blades
or cutters, may be used and interchanged, and is applicable for the use of metal,
wood, and stone workers and the like.
The object of my invention is to provide a simple, effective, and inexpensive
tool which shall be lighter and more convenient to use than tools of this type
as ordinarily made.
As the principle of my invention will be the same in whatever class of tool it
is employed, a description of it as applied to a masons chisel for cutting and
working stone will suffice.
Like other combination tools I make a cutter, blade or bit, hereinafter referred
to as the bit or bits, separate from the handle with which they are used, each
bit being made to fit the said handle so as to be securely held when in use,
easily detached when not in use, also reversible and interchangeable.
All these last named points have been attained in a more or less effective
manner by numerous inventors and I lay no claim to novelty for the mere con-
struction of a tool with interchangeable or reversible bits, the essential feature
of my invention being the particular method by which I secure the bit in the
handle.
I carry out my invention in the following manner;
In such a tool as I have here described, namely a stone masons chisel, the bits
are usually made reversible and the steel out of which they are made is like a
double wedge, or of an elongated diamond section.
In some of the existing inventions, such bits are secured in a holder pro-
vided with a tapered groove or slit, others are fitted in a similar holder with wedge
shaped clips also fitted in a tapered groove, others provide a rib on the bit with
corresponding grooves formed in the clins or holders, and in some cases cotters
or set screws are likewise employed in addition or in combination with the other
modes of fastening.
In my improved tool I form the bits somewhat similar to those already
described, but in lieu of a projection or rib. I form on each side of the said bit,
one or more corresponding grooves or indentations, such grooves being either
round, rectangular or of other convenient form, mid-way between and parallel to
the cutting edges of the bit.
The bit end of the handle I likewise form with a tapered slit, corresponding
to the size and form of the bits with which it has to be used. On the inner
surface, or what may be called the mouth of this tapered slit, I form project-
ing strips or lugs corresponding in size to the grooves or indentations on the bits

page_text: I carry out my invention in the following manner.
In such a tool as I have here described namely a stone masons chisel, the bits
are usually made reversible and the steel out of which they are made is like a
double wedge, or of an elongated diamond section.
In some of the existing inventions, such bits are secured in a holder pro-
vided with a tapered groove or slit, others are fitted in a similar holder with wedge
shaped clips also fitted in a tapered groove, others provide a rib on the bit with
corresponding grooves formed in the clips or holders, and in some cases cotters
or set screws are likewise employed in addition or in combination with the other
modes of fastening.
My invention will be better understood in reference to the accompanying sheet
of drawings, in which,
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one of my improved handles, adapted for use as
a stone masons chisel.
Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same handle as it appears when fitted with a
reversible and interchangeable bit.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a handle fitted with a reversible and interchange-
able bit. provided with two grooves or indentations on each side.
Fig. 5 is a front elevation of one form of reversible and interchangeable bit
provided with one groove or indentation on each side.
Fig. 6 is an end view of the same.
Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a similar bit provided with two grooves or indenta-
tions on each side,
Fig. 8 is an end view of the same.
The same letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
In my improved tool I form the bits, B, somewhat similar to those already
described, but in lieu of a projection or rib, I form on each side of the said bit
one or more corresponding grooves or indentations, C, such grooves being either
round, rectangular or of other convenient form, mid-way between or parallel to
the cutting edges of the bit.
The bit end of the handle, A. I likewise form with a tapered slit. D. corre
sponding to the size and form of the bits with which it has to be used. On the
inner surface, or what may be called the mouth of this tapered slit. I form pro-
jecting strips or lugs, E. corresponding in size to the grooves or indentations, C.
on the bits last described. The bit is introduced into this tapered slit or mouth
in the handle sideways or edgeways, in a direction parallel with its cutting edge,
so that when the bit has been driven into its position, the grooves or indentations
in the bit are filled by the strips or projections in the mouth of the handle.
parallel with the cutting edge of the bit and at right angles to the longitudinal
axis of the handle. It will therefore be seen that the force of a blow given by
the operator to this tool, will be transmitted through comparatively long bearing
surfaces to the bit.
The steel of which my improved bits are made may be forged, rolled, stamped,
hammered or otherwise formed in long lengths with the grooves or indentations
running from end to end on both sides. Pieces of sufficient length to form the
requisite bits are then cut off transversely so that all the bits may be of uniform
section both as to width, thickness, angle of cutting edge, and size of the grooves
or indentations. Sometimes I employ steel of composite quality so that the outer
or cutting edges may be of a hard temper and the middle or body in which the
grooves are formed may be of a softer temper.
The metallic handles for the same may be cast. forged, stamped, or otherwise
formed and to ensure uniformity in the size of the tapered slit and mouthpiece
of the handle, when the handles are made in cast metal, composition cores or
chills may be employed. When made of stamped or forged metal the mouth-
piece may be formed on a mandrill.
In some cases when made of ductile material the mouthpiece may be opened