Improvements in Saw Handles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Saw Handles.
I, ROBERT FRANKLIN SMITH, of Victor, County of El Paso, State of Colorado,
U.S.A., Carpenter, 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 invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in saw-handleś,
the object being to provide a handle for saws, said handle being constructed so
as to provide on one side of the same a laterally-projecting portion which serves
as a bearing or rest for the thumb and above the laterally-projecting bearing-sur-
face with a recess in which the end of the thumb will lie, thus affording to the
operator a better grasp upon the handle than is afforded by handles for saws as
they are usually constructed and without in any wise weakening the handle or
the horns thereof.
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a
perspective view; Fig. 2, a plan view; Fig. 3, a rear elevation, and Fig. 4 a detail
perspective view of a modification.
A refers to the saw-handle, which is of ordinary construction, except as to that
portion which is to be grasped by the operator, the handle having the usual grip a
and horns a 2. The portion of the grip below the horn al is provided with a
laterally-projecting portion b, the upper edge or face thereof being convex longi-
tudinally, the outer face or side being for a short distance parallel with the opposite
side of the handle and then curved inwardly, so as to join the grip with a gradual
curve. The upper horn or guide a¹ is of the normal width at its rear end, and
immediately above the projecting portion the upper part of the handle is cut
away or recessed, so as to provide above the forward end of the projecting portion b
a recess, which provides a side and end rest for the thumb, while the convex
upper face of the block provides a bearing for the under side of the thumb.
In a saw-handle constructed as shown the grip, or that portion which is grasped
by the fingers, is of the usual construction, and the projecting portion, combined
with the recess, provides a thumb-rest, so that the thumb will be in a natural
position and will be able to exert a downward pressure on the handle, so that the
saw can be operated more effectively, which is accomplished without materially
weakening the handle. In Fig. 4 of the drawings I have shown a modification
which shews a block formed separate from the handle and adapted to be attached
CD 077

page_text: to an ordinary handle by means of bolts or screws to provide such a handle with
a laterally-projecting thumb-rest.
I am aware that it has been proposed to provide a saw-handle with a recess in
which the thumb partially lies, and I do not claim such construction, as in such
instance the thumb lies over the handle, which unduly cramps the fingers when they
lie over the grip of the handle. Further, the handle is cut away to such an extent
that the upper horn is materially weakened.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. A saw-handle provided above the portion thereof which is grasped by the
fingers with a laterally-projecting portion, the upper edge of which is convex to
provide a thumb-rest, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.
2. A saw-handle provided with a grip and finger-opening in front of the same, a
thumb-rest which projects laterally from the upper portion of the grip to provide
a convex bearing-surface, the handle adjacent to the forward and upper end of said
projecting portion having a recess, the horn above the laterally projecting portion
being curved to join the recess, substantially as shown.
I
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Chartered Patent Agent, 70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Associate Agent.