An Improvement in Braces for Turning Bits.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Mar., 1894-Accepted, 14th Apr., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Braces for Turning Bits.
I, EPHRAIM ALPAUGH of the Village of Preston, in the County of Waterloo
and Province of Ontaria, Carpenter do hereby declare the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being made
to the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section of a brace embodying my invention.
Figure 2 is an elevation.
Figures 3 and 4 are modified forms to which parts of the same brace are
adapted.
The first part of my invention relates to a brace having a movable knob and
bitholder, so arranged that the sweep can be changed to suit the character of the
work to be done.
The second part of my invention relates to arranging the parts in different
positions, so as to work in places which hitherto have been inaccessible with a brace
and bit.
In the drawing, A is the brace, composed of B, A and K. In this instance, I
make the shanks square, but they may be of any other shape, with suitable means
provided for holding the knob and bit in proper position. A want has long been
felt among mechanics for a brace that would turn bits of any size with ease, and
without loss of time and needless exertion. To accomplish this, I make the knob K,
and bitholder B, to slide loosely on the shanks, so as to give a long or short sweep,
according to the power required, or strength of the operator. The pieces B and K
are held in position by the thumb screws C and P, but I do not bind myself
to thumb screws for this purpose as various other means of fastening may be
employed.
The knob K and bitholder B, not only slide on the shanks, but are also
reversible, as shown in Figure 2, where B is reversed and the brace becomes a
double crank brace, such as is in common use among ship-builders. Then if the
knob K is reversed, we have a very short sweep brace suited to very small bits
or drills.
In Figure 3, the parts B and K are turned at right angles with the plane of the
brace, either as shown by the right lines or dotted lines. This form admits of
boring in such places as between shelves or beams or any other place in which a
brace and bit cannot be used because of its length.
Figure 4 is another form which may be used to advantage, where there is very
little room.
In this instance the brace is dispensed with, and the ends B and K
are slipped onto a piece of wood, or metal, which in some instances may be turned
entirely round. In places where there is not room to turn any of the forms shown
in the several figures entirely round, the ratchet shown in the several drawings is
to be used.
In Figures 3 and 4, the bitholder is to be held in position for boring, with one
hand, while the crank motion is produced with the other.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion & in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The combination with a brace of the bitholder and knob, arranged so as to
move to and fasten at any point of the shanks, for the purpose of making

page_text: a longer or shorter crank, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set
forth.
2nd. The combination with a brace, of the reversible knob and bitholder,
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.
3rd. The combination with the movable bitholder and knob, of the ratchet,
substantially as and for the purpose herein before set forth.
Dated this 1st March 1894.
GEORGE BARKER,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.