An Improved Brace and Attachment therefor.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Brace and Attachment therefor.
I, THOMAS BRADSHAW JACK, of 20 Linenhall Street, Ballymena, Ireland,
Accountant, 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 my invention has reference to an improved brace of that class used by
engineers, carpenters and the like for drilling holes; the object of the invention
being firstly, to construct a certain part of the brace in a manner which renders the
working of some of its parts more easy by reducing the friction, and secondly, to
provide an attachment for a brace which can be readily applied, and which enables
the brace to be used in places where the space is too limited to permit of the rotation
of the bend, crank or handle portion of the brace.
I am aware that object of my attachment is attained by the use of ratchet-braces;
but the manipulation thereof is slow and tedious, whereas by the use of my improved
attachment the drilling may be effected rapidly.
I now proceed to describe my said invention, reference being had to the accom-
panying drawings and to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon; like
letters referring to like parts in all the views.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a brace having my improved attachment applied thereto
and shewing certain of its parts in section.
Figs. 2 and 3 are horizontal sectional detail plans taken on the line of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is an end view of the bracket portion of my attachment.
In the drawings, A represents the head of my improved brace which is fitted with
the usual metal bushing B which is preferably recessed into the head as shewn, and
secured in place by screws b. The circular recess or cavity c (into which a part of
the bushing is preferably screwed as shewn) is extended into the head and fitted
with an inverted metal cap C. The part d of the bend rod D is formed with an
integral collar e and head E; the part d being of such length that a space f is left
between the collar e and the bushing B. A steel ball F is held in the metal cap C
and rests upon the head E. The space f prevents friction between the collar e and
bushing B, and provides the certain contact of the head E with the ball F.
A metal plate G is fitted to the head A and has an aperture g in which a pointed
stud H is removably fitted. This stud H is inserted to receive pressure which may
be applied to the brace by means other than the shoulder of the operator.
My improved attachment is shewn in Fig. 1. applied to an ordinary ratchet brace,
having a ratchet-wheel I, pawls i working on pivot-pins ; and pressed into engage-
ment with the ratchet-wheel I by spiral springs J, except when held out of
engagement by the collar K which can be manipulated to pass over the rear ends of
the pawls, as shewn at k, Fig. 2.
In order to adapt the brace to the application of my attachment, I fit a bevel-
pinion L to the spindle which passes through the portion m of the brace and is
integral with the part n.
The attachment comprises a bracket O having side flanges p adapted to fit over
that portion of the brace represented by the letter P, Fig. 1. The bracket O is
capable of being secured to the part P by means of a screw Q capable of turning
freely in the bracket O, and fitted with a fly-nut q which turns therewith. Said
screw has a tapered end r as shewn, and its threaded portion S enters a threaded
aperture in the part P and the point r enters the slot t and forces the pawls i out of
engagement with the ratchet-wheel I, as clearly shewn in Fig. 2. In Fig. 3, the
point of the screw Q is not shewn in engagement with the pawls i which permits
them to engage the ratchet-wheel I.

page_text: The bracket O carries a bevel-wheel R which meshes with the pinion L, and is
fitted with a handle T.
When it is desired to use the attachment in preference to the ratchet mechanism
of the brace, the bracket O is simply adjusted to the brace as shewn in Fig. 1; the
screw retaining it in place and forcing out the pawls i simultaneously. The
disengagement of the pawls with the ratchet-wheel I permits the spindle 2, bevel-
pinion L and part n of spindle to rotate freely without the part m and remaining
portion of the brace. The spindle l, and with it, the drill or bit holding device
can be readily rotated by turning the handle T as will be readily understood.
The ball-head A serves to reduce the friction of that part and cause the brace to
work more freely.
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) In a brace of the class hereinbefore referred to, the head A formed with a
cavity containing a ball to receive the thrust of the brace substantially as herein-
before set forth and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
2) In a shoulder-brace, the plate G having a central aperture to receive the
pointed and removable stud H, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
set forth and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
3) The hereindescribed attachment for braces, consisting of the bracket O,
pointed screw Q bevel wheel R and handle T, all combined and adapted to operate
in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.
4) In a brace, the combination therewith of the pinion L secured to and adapted
to rotate with the spindle of the brace substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before set forth and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 6th day of June 1893.
THOMAS BRADSHAW JACK.