Improvements in Metal Tongs.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 26th May, 1896-Accepted, 11th July, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metal Tongs.
I, GEORGE HENRY KINSEY of 5 Eastfield Avenue, Spring Bank, Hull,
Salesman, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
My invention refers to metal tongs, and particularly to those of the bow spring
type, and my invention has for its object, first, to render the said tongs easier and
more convenient to handle or manipulate, secondly, to increase the gripping power
thereof, and thirdly, to remove the hand of the user from close proximity with the.
object being gripped.
In accordance with my invention, and as applied, say to a pair of U shaped
spring coal-vase tongs, I form the tongs proper in the usual way, and to each
limb or leaf I connect one end of a rod, handle or extension, parallel with said
limb but extending in an opposite direction. These rods or extensions which are
of any suitable length are secured by soldering or other suitable means, and
partake of any suitable shape and ornamentation, and immediately behind the
breach or bend of the tongs said rods cross each other and extending forward
act as levers on the respective limbs of the tongs, and form the means by which
the tongs are handled.
"
Being crossed and lying normally apart said rods or extensions when forced>
together simultaneously cause the gripping faces of the tongs to come together.
By so applying the aforesaid extensions or handles the tongs can be more
readily and conveniently manipulated and by reason of the palm of the hand being
employed (instead of the fingers as heretofore) for applying the pressure, a more
perfect grip can be put upon the object between the tongs.
The aforesaid lever handles or extensions may be formed in one piece with the
tongs or they may be rivetted, brazed, or soldered thereto, or so made and fitted
as to be applied as attachments to existing tongs.
Although chiefly described as applied to fixed spring tongs my invention is
equally applicable to hinged bow tongs.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1895.
1, GEORGE HENRY KINSEY of 5 Eastfield Avenue, Spring Bank, Hull,
Salesman 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 :-
My invention refers to table, coal-vase and similar tongs and more particularly
to pickle and sugar tongs, which as at present made, are difficult to handle and,
owing to such imperfect handling, are ineffective in gripping the object to be
carried.

page_text: My invention has for its object to provide a set of tongs which can be more
easily manipulated, and have a greater gripping power, and in order that my said
invention shall be the more readily understood and carried into practical effect,
I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings, shewing a pair of pickle tongs and
coal-vase tongs respectively, made according to my invention.
Fig. 1 is a front view, and Fig. 2 an edge view of the said pickle tongs, and
Fig. 3 a front view of the said coal-vase tongs.
Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the tongs proper (A) are, by preference of the
usual U spring shape. To each limb of the tongs I connect a handle rod (B)
(the connection being, by preference, of an ornamental and permanent character),
and each of such handle rods crosses over to the other side of the tongs as
illustrated and is so bent that there is plenty of play for each before meeting the
other.
Normally such handles lie apart as shewn in Fig. 1 and when compressed or
brought towards each other, they cause the jaws or working extremities of the
tongs to come together, and so grip anything placed between them, and with a
much greater force than can be exerted by the ordinary tongs.
Owing to the elasticity of the bend (C) the tongs separate automatically as
soon as the handles (B) are released.
The advantages of this improved construction will be strikingly apparent in
table tongs, in that it is usual to use them with narrow necked vessels, or for
taking hold of objects at the bottom of a basin, where the hand cannot get, and
which is often a matter of frequent futile efforts, owing to the hand being in the
way, or the tongs being too short.
Referring to Fig. 3, which illustrates a pair of coal-vase tongs, I make each
arm or limb (D) with a continuation (D') beyond the centre (E), on which, by the
brackets (F), both are centered. The jaws (D2) of the tongs are held apart by
the flat steel spring (G) fixed at each extremity to the respective arms (D).
On gripping the handle ends (D¹), the jaws (D2) are readily closed, and on
releasing the ends (D¹) the jaws readily open again under the extending action of
the spring (G).
Although only described and shewn as applied to hinged coal-vase tongs, my
improvements may be applied to spring coal vase tongs after the manner of the
table tongs.
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 and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :-
Ist. In Ushaped spring tongs for table and similar use, the application thereto
of a set of extensions or handle rods (B), fixed respectively to the respective half-
portions of the tongs and crossing each other, as and for the purposes set forth.
2nd. In coal-vase and similar hinged tongs, forming each half with an
extension handle (D¹) mounting same on centre (E) by brackets (F) and holding
the jaws apart by spring (G) as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of May 1896.
GEORGE HENRI KINSET,
By John G. Wilson & Co., Rd. P.A.,
Agents.