Improvements in Spike Extractors.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Spike Extractors.
ARTEMUS WELSH, Blacksmith, of 934 Deleware Street, Lawrence, in the County
of Douglas and State of Kansas, in the United States of America do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of the invention is, first, to increase power of the lever in closing
the oscillating jaws upon the spike, and, second, to prevent the action of the
jaws from being retarded when the leverage is applied to extract the spike.
My invention consists in the novel construction and assemblage of parts such
as will be first fully describe..
In the practice of my invention, I provide separate oscillating spike-extracting
jaws, which are arranged substantially in parallelism side by side. One jaw
consists of a straight bar, comparatively short in length, the upper and under
sides having flat surfaces, respectively. The forward end of the bar, upon its
under side, is inclined upwardly and forwardly at an oblique angle to the surface
and forms a bearing when the spike is grasped by the jaws. In the forward
end of the bar, directly over the inclined portion, is a recess for the head of the
spike, which extends from the forward end of the bar in the direction of the
rear end a short distance and from the under side of the bar to within a short
distance of the outer side of said bar. At the extreme rear end portion of the
bar, the inner side portion extending from the upper surface is inclined down-
wardly at an angle to said upper surface for the purpose hereinafter explained.
Said rear end of bar is also inclined downwardly and inwardly in a curved line
from the upper surface of the bar, on the inner side of the bar.
equidistant from opposite ends of said bar is a groove extending from the upper
At a point
surface to the lower surface of bar and conforming to the arc of a circle.
In the upper surface of bar is a groove which describes an arc of a circle upon
a line concentric with the groove and from the same central point upon which
said arc is drawn, said groove being extended from the inner side of the bar to
a point near the outer side of said bar.
In the under surface of the jaw is a groove which is of the same depth and is
made in the arc of a circle described from the same centre and extending the
me distance toward the outer edge of the bar as described of the groove.
The companion jaw is constructed in precisely the same manner as described
of the bar and the jaws arranged to present the spike-grasping recesses opposite
n position.
The jaws are hinged together in the following manner: Between the jaws in
he respective grooves in each jaw is a pivot of considerable diameter, so as to
keep the jaws a sufficient distance apart and enable said jaws to oscillate. On
.

page_text: the upper end of the pivot is rigidly connected a circular cap-plate upon the
outer edge portion of which cap-plate is a downwardly extended annular flange
which is fitted to and enters the respective grooves in the upper surface of the
respective bars or jaws. To the upper side of the cap-plate is rigidly connected
the separate uprights or fulcrum-posts which extend in a vertical direction a
short distance and, near the upper ends, are perforated transversely.
Between the fulcrum-posts is arranged the lower end portion of the operating-
lever and through said lever and the nerforations in the pivot-posts is inserted
the fulcrum pin or bolt, one end of which is provided with a head and the other
end extended beyond the outer side portion of the fulcrum-posts, so as to form a
bearing for the foot in operating the spike-extractor. Said bolu is held in the
perforations by means of a split key. The lower ena portion of the pivot extends
a short distance below the line of the under surface of the respective jaws and is
screw-threaded. To said screw-threaded end of the pivot is fitted a circular nut.
In the centre of the nut is a screw-threaded opening which fits the screw threaded
on the pivot. Upon the outer end of the nut is an annular flange which is fitted
to and extends within the groove in the under surface of the respective jaws.
The outer surface of nut is curved so as to afford a rocking bearing-surface. In
the nut is a set-screw, which contacts with the pivot and prevents turning.
The lever is composed of separate parts, the lower parts connected with the
fulcrum-bolt extending a short distance in a vertical direction. In the upper
end of the part of the lever connected with the fulcrum-post is a socket in which
is fitted the lower end of a vertical wood extension, said extension being secured
by the side straps on the lower part of the lever. The lower end of the lever
which contacts with the upper side of the cap at its forward edge or in the
direction of the end of the jaws having the recesses, is inclined from said edge
upwardly and rearwardly so as to permit the rearward movement of the lever.
To the rear side portion of the lever at a point a short distance above the line
of the upper end of the fulcrum-posts, is attached rigidly the upper end of the
rib, the other end of which rib extends outwardly and downwardly in a curved
line to a position between the inner inclined surfaces of the rear ends of the
jaws and is inclined on each side downwardly to one edge, forming a wedge.
Between the jaws and the rear ends of said jaws is a spiral spring. One end
of said spring is inserted in the inner side of the jaw near the pivot and the
other end inserted in the inner side of the jaw. Said spring tends to throw the
forward ends of the jaws together.
In the operation of the improved spike-extractor the rear ends of the jaws
are drawn together by the hand, the wedge being nearly out of contact with the
inner surface of the jaws, and the forward ends of the jaws being open are
inserted beneath the head of the spike. In this position of the jaws, which
rest upon the forward inclined ends, the lever is also thrown forward. As soon
as the head of the spike enters the recesses in the jaws, the rear end of the jaws
is released and the spring acts to close the jaws upon the spike. The lever is
then seized by the hand and power applied thereto, the foot being applied to the
bolt and the jaws prevented from slipping. This movement of the lever throws
the wedge between the rear ends of the jaws and the grasp of the forward ends
of the jaws is complete. As the spike is drawn from the seat in which it is
embedded, the bearing is transferred to the nut and the friction removed from
the inner side of the jaws, so that by the further closing of the jaws or when the
grasp is increased by the wedge entering to its full extent between the rear ends
of the jaws, the action of the jaws is not retarded, the hinged portion of the
jaws turning readily upon the flanged portions of the cap and nut. The jaws
are then oscillated upon the rear ends and the spike removed.
The hinged connection enables me to lubricate the jaws and facilitate their
action, the oil being retained in the nut in sufficient quantity. The lever being
pivotally connected near the jaws, a greater power is afforded to draw the spike.
The separate parts of the spike-extractor being detachable are also removable,

page_text: and as connected may be employed under circumstances which require great
application of power without danger of breakage. For the nut we use a fixed
head or bearing.
The nut may be locked in any other manner than herein described.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1897.
Improvements in Spike Extractors.
I ARTEMUS WELSH, Blacksmith, of 934 Deleware Street, Lawrence, County of
Douglas, State of Kansas, United States of America. 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:-
The object of the invention is, first to increase power of the level in closing
the oscillating jaws upon the spike, and, second, to prevent the action of the
jaws from being retarded when the leverage is applied to extract the spike.
Our invention consists in the novel construction and assemblage of parts such
as will be first fully described and specifically pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings,
Figure is a view in perspective of the improved spike-extractor.
Figure 2 is a detail view of the fulcrum post shown in vertical section, also
showing the circular groove in the cap and the pivot between the oscillating jaws
and the annular flanged circular nut on the pivot.
Figure 3 is a view of the under side portion of the cap beneath the fulcrum-
posts, showing the circular groove.
Figure 4 is a detail view in perspective of the separate oscillating jaws of the
spike-extractor, showing the groove in the upper and lower side portions.
Figure 5 is a view of the under side portion of the oscillating jaws, showing
the grooves in each jaw.
Figure 6 is a detail view in perspective of the circular nut on the end of the
pivot.
Figure 7 is a detail view of the lower end of the operating-lever.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
Referring to the drawings, A. A¹ are the separate oscillating spike-extracting
jaws, which are arranged substantially in parallelism side by side. The jaw A
consists of a straight bar, comparatively short in length, the upper and under
sides having flat surfaces a, a' respectively. The forward end of the bar A, upon
its under side, is inclined upwardly and forwardly at an oblique angle to the
surface a and forms a bearing when the spike is grasped by the jaws. In the for-
ward end of the bar directly above the inclined portion, is a recess a³, for the
head of the spike, which extends from the forward end of the bar in the direction
of the rear end a short distance, and from the upper side of the bar to within a
short distance of the outer side of said bar. At the forward end portion of the
bar A the lower side portion is inclined downwardly at an angle to said upper
surface, as at a², for the purpose hereinafter explained. The rear end of bar A
is also inclined downwardly and inwardly in a curved line from the upper surface
of the bar as at a5. At a point equidistant from the opposite ends of said bar
is a groove a extending from the upper surface a to the lower surface a¹ of
bar A and conforming to the arc of a circle.

page_text: In the upper surface a of the bar A is a groove a7, which describes an ar
of a circle upon a line concentric with the groove a6 and from the same centra
point upon which said arc a6 is drawn, said groove a7 being extended from th
inner side of bar A to a point near the outer side of the said bar.
In the under surface a of the jaw A is a groove as which is of the same dept
and is made in the arc of a circle described fro in the same center and extending
the same distance toward the outer edge of the bar as described of the groove a
The companion jaw A¹ is constructed in precisely the same manner as described
of the bar A and the jaws arranged to present the spike-grasping recesses opposit
in position.
The jaws A A are hinged together in the following manner: Between the
jaws A A in the respective grooves in each jaw is a pivot B of considerable
diameter, so as to keep the jaws A A' a sufficient distance apart and enable said
jaws to oscillate. On the upper end of the pivot B is rigidly connected a circula
cap-plate C, upon the outer edge portion of which cap-plate is a downwardly
extended annular flange c, which is fitted to and enters the respective grooves a
in the upper surface a of the respective bars or jaws A, A¹
To the upper side of the cap-plate C is rigidly connected the separate uprights
or fulcrum-posts 2, 2, which extend in a vertical direction a short distance and
near the upper ends are perforated transversely.
Between the fulcrum-posts ², 2, is arranged the lower end portion of the
operating-lever D), and through said lever and the perforations in the pivot-posts
is inserted the fulcrum pin or bolt E, cae end of which is provided with a head
and the other end extended beyond the outer side portion of the fulcrum-posts,
so as to form a bearing for the foot in operating the spike-extractor. Said bolt
is held in the perforations by means of a split key c. The lower end portion b
of the pivot B extends a short distance below the line of the under surface a
of the respective jaws A A' and is screw-threaded. To said screw-threaded
end of the pivot B is fitted a circular nut F. In the centre of the nut is a screw-
threaded opening f, which fits the screw thread on the pivot B. Upon the outer
edge of the nut F is an annular flange f', which is fitted to and extends within
the groove as in the under surface of the respective jaws A, A. The outer
surface of nut f is curved so as to afford a rocking-bearing surface. In the nut F
is a set-screw f³, which contacts with the pivot B and prevents turning.
The lever D is composed of separate parts, the lower parts connected with the
fulcrum-bolt I, extending a short distance in a vertical direction. In the upper
end of the part of lever D connected with the fulcrum-post is a socket d, in which
is fitted the lower end of a vertical wood extension, said extension being secured
by the side straps or the lower part of the lever. The lower end of lever D,
which contacts with the upper side of the cap C at its forward edge or in the
direction of the end of the jaws A A¹, having the recesses a³ is inclined from
said edge upwardly and rearwardly, as at ', so as to permit the rearward move-
ment of the lever. To the rear side portion of the lever D, at a point a short
distance above the line of the upper end of the fulcrum-posts, is attached
rigidly the upper end of the rib G, the other end of which rib extends outwardly
and downwardly in a curved line to a position between the inner inclined surfaces
of the rear ends of the jaws A A' and is inclined on each side downwardly to one
edge, forming a wedge g.
Between the jaws A A¹ and the rear ends of said jaws is a spiral spring H.
One end of said spring is inserted in the inner side of the jaw A near the pivot B
and the other end inserted in the inner side of the jaw A. Said spring tends
to throw the forward ends of the jaws A A¹ together.
In the operation of the improved spike-extractor the rear ends of the jaws A A¹
are drawn together by the hands, the wedge being nearly out of contact with the
inner surface of the jaws, and the forward ends of the jaws being open are in-
serted beneath the head of the spike. In this position of the jaws, which rest
upon the forward inclined ends a³, the lever D is also thrown forward. As soon

page_text: as the head of the spike enters the recesses a³ in the jaws A A' the rear, end of the
jaws is released and the spring H acts to close the jaws upon the spike. The
lever I is then seized by the hand and power applied thereto, the foot being
applied to the bolt E, and the jaws prevented from slipping. This movement of
the lever D throws the wedge between the rear ends of the jaws A A', and the
grasp of the forward end of the jaws is complete. As the spike is drawn from
the seat in which it is embedded, the bearing is transferred to the nut F, and
the friction removed from the inner side of the jaws A. A', so that by the further
closing of the jaws, or when the grasp is increased by the wedge entering to its
full extent between the rear ends of the jaws, the action of the jaws is not retarded,
the hinged portion of the jaws turning readily upon the flanged portions of the
cap C and nut F. The jaws are then oscillated by pressing upon the rear ends
and the spike removed.
The hinged connection enables us to lubricate the jaws and facilitate their
action, the oil being retained in the nut F in sufficient quantity. The lever being
pivotally connected near the jaws, a greater power is afforded to draw the spike.
The separate parts of the spike-extractor being detachable are also removable,
and as connected may be employed under circumstances which require great
application of power without danger of breakage. For the nut we use a fixed
head or bearing.
The nut
may be locked in any other manner than herein described.
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 spike-extractor composed of oscillating spike-grasping jaws, an inter-
mediate hinged connection consisting of an intermediate vertical pivot, a cap-
plate upon the upper end of said pivot, and a nut upon the lower end, and jointed
circular grooves and flanges upon the upper and lower surfaces of said jaws and
the inner surface of said cap and nut respectively, as and for the purpose
described.
2. A spike-extractor composed of oscillating spike-grasping jaws, and an inter-
mediate pivot, a cap upon the upper end of said pivot and a nut on the lower end,
a fulcrum-post or said cap, and an operating lever pivotally connected with said
fulcrum-post, a rib on said lever having a wedge at its extremity extending
between the rear ends of said oscillating jaws, and jointed circular grooves and
flanges on the upper and lower surfaces of the said jaws and the respective inner
surfaces of said cap and nut, as and for the purpose described.
3. In a spike-extractor, the combination of the oscillating spike-grasping jaws
having grooves in the upper and lower surfaces of said jaws in the arc of a circle,
an intermediate vertical pivot concentric at its circumferences with said grooves,
a cap-plate upon the upper end of said pivot, and a nut on the lower end, and a
fulcrum-post on said cap, and an operating-lever having its lower end extending
to the upper surface of said cap, and its rear edge inclined rearwardly and up-
wardly, and a rib on the said lever extending in the direction of and between
the rear ends of said jaws, having oppositely inclined sides, annular flanges on
the under side of said cap-plate and the upper side of said nut extending within
the grooves in the upper and lower surfaces of the respective jaws for the purpose
described.
4. In a spike-extractor, the combination of the oscillating spike-grasping jaws
having downwardly and rearwardly inclined bearing-surfaces at their forward
ends, and an intermediate vertical pivot, a cap-plate upon the upper end of said
pivot, a fulcrum-post upon said cap-plate, an operating lever pivotally connected
with said fulcrum-post, a rib connected with the lower end of said lever and
extending between the rear ends of said jaws, said jaws having circular grooves
n their under surfaces, and a bearing for said jaws connected with the lower end
of said pivot, and an annular upwardly extended flange on the upper side of said

page_text: bearings, extending within the circular grooves in the respective jaws, as and for
the purpose described.
Dated this 11th day of September 1897.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
Agents.