IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING OR POCKET KNIVES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Singleton and Edmund Priestman, trading
under the style or firm of Wm. Singleton & Co., of Sheffield, in the County of
York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING OR POCKET KNIVES."
Sealed the 27th November 1877, and dated the 2nd July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Singleton and
Edmund Priestman at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
2nd July 1877.
WILLIAM SINGLETON and EDMUND PRIESTMAN, trading under the style or firm of
Wm. Singleton & Co., of Sheffield, in the County of York. IMPROVEMENTS IN
SPRING OR POCKET KNIVES."
The objects of this Invention, which relates to improvements in spring or pocket
knives, are to render the blades more secure when open, and to increase the
resistance to and prevent them being inadvertently or accidentally closed.
A
These objects we attain by forming a slot in the pivot end of the spring blade,
in which slot a catch on the spring of this blade engages, and when the blade is
open secures the blade in this position and prevents it being accidentally closed.
little farther from the pivot of this blade its spring is formed, with a projection
which lies over the spring of the side adjacent blade, or other instrument of the
knife, in such a manner that upon this blade or instrument being depressed the
spring of the spring-blade is forced backwards, and its catch disengaged from the
slot in the spring-blade, which can then be closed or shut down.
We also increase the resistance of the springs by enclosing them within a metallic
back, leaving a short portion only visible at each end of the knife, the back and
sides of the knife being formed of a suitably-shaped metal plate, from which the
sides of the knife are turned up to the middle part forming the back at right
angles; this formation gives a greater resisting power to the springs against the

page_text: blades when open than is afforded by what is known as the "Albert-backed"
covered springs.
We propose to use the improvements described in the two preceding paragraphs
conjointly or separately in the construction of spring or pocket knives.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Singleton and Edinund Priestman in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 29th December 1877.
WILLIAM SINGLETON and EDMUND PRIESTMAN, trading under the style or firm of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
Wm. Singleton & Co., of Sheffield, in the County of York.
SPRING OR POCKET KNIVES."
The objects of this Invention, which relates to improvements in spring or pocket
knives, are to render the blades more secure when open, and to increase the
resistance to and prevent them from being inadvertently or accidentally closed.
The Invention is illustrated on the accompanying Drawings.
These objects. we attain by forming in the pivot end of the blade 1 a slot 2, in
which a catch 3 on the spring 4 of the blade engages, and when the blade is open
secures it as shown in the sectional view, Figure 1, and prevents it from being acci-
dentally closed. A little further from the pivot 5 of this blade its spring 4 is
formed, with a projection 6, which lies over the spring 7 of the side adjacent blade,
or other instrument 8 of the knife (see Figure 2), in such a manner that upon this
blade or instrument (8) being slightly depressed when in its closed position (see
Figure 3), the spring 4 is forced backwards, and its catch 3 disengaged from the slot
2 in the blade 1, which can then be closed or shut down. This improvement can be
applied to any or all of the blades of a knife.
We also increase the resistance of the springs 4, 7, by enclosing them within a
metallic back 9, leaving a short portion only visible at each end of the knife, as
shown in the back view, Figure 4, the back and metallic sides of the knife being
formed of a suitably shaped plate (see Figure 5) from which the sides 10 are turned
up at the lines 11, at right angles to the middle part 9, forming the back (see
Figure 6). This formation gives a greater resisting power to the springs 4, 7, against
the blades when open than is afforded by the usual." Albert backed or covered
springs. The plate may be formed with or without the metal ends 12.
ور
Having now described the nature and objects of our said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, we would remark in conclusion that we claim as our Invention,--
1. The combination in spring or pocket knives substantially as and for the
purpose specified, of the slotted blade 1, with the spring catch 3, actuated as
described by the depression of an adjacent blade or instrument upon a projection 6
thereof.
2. The enclosing of the blade springs within a metallic back and sides formed as
described of one piece for the purpose specified.
And, 3. The combination in spring or pocket knives, substantially as and for the
purposes specified, of the slotted blade 1, spring catch 3, actuated as described by

page_text: the depression of an adjacent blade or instrument upon a projection 6 thereof, and
metallic back and sides formed, as described, of one piece, and enclosing the blade
springs.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Singleton and Edmund Priestman,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Thirteenth day of December,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.