IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TROWELS, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF OTHER IMPLEMENTS AND INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Lee, of Southampton Buildings, Holborn, Loudon,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TROWELS,
SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF OTHER
IMPLEMENTS AND INSTRUMENTS."
Sealed the 12th July 1878, and dated the 17th May 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Joseph Lee at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 17th May 1878.
JOSEPH LEE, of Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF TROWELS, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO
THE MANUFACTURE OF OTHER IMPLEMENTS AND INSTRUMENTS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of trowels,
such improvements being also applicable to the manufacture of other implements and
instruments.
Such improvements relate more particularly to the manufacture of fern and other
transplanting trowels and implements used for horticultural purposes.
And in order that my said Invention may be better understood and readily
carried into effect, I will now, with the aid of the accompanying Drawings, proceed
more particularly to describe and ascertain the same.
Figure 1 of such Drawings represents a front view, and Figures 2 and 3 side
views of one of my improved trowels.
One part of my Invention consists in making the blade of the trowel or other
implement or instrument of a longitudinally curvilinear form. This particular shape
or form not only materially increases the strength of the trowel or other implement
or instrument, but renders it far more adapted for the purpose of transplanting roots
or seedlings, owing to its more readily penetrating the ground and embracing the
root or seedling, and thus lifting it without injury.
In order to impart greater strength to the handle, so as to obviate its tendency
to break off at the neck, I make a continuous metal tongue at the back of the

page_text: blade of the trowel, as shewn at Figures 1 and 2, in the ordinary manner. I also
introduce in the front, at the junction of the blade and handle, a metal cup or collar,
as shewn at A, Figures 1, 2, and 5, so formed as to firmly embrace the front of the
handle, to which it is affixed by one, two, or more rivets, or in any other convenient
manner. Such cap or collar is furnished with a projecting tongue having suitable
rivets or studs formed on the back thereof, and which are rivetted or otherwise
secured to the front of the blade. When however the blade is not made continuous
with the back of the handle, I attach my improved longitudinally curvilinear blado
to the handle in the ordinary way by means of a suitable tang, strap, or socket, as
shewn at Figure 4.
Such improved longitudinally curvilinear form of blade may be employed with
great advantage to the manufacture of many other implements and instruments not
hitherto manufactured in that form.
Also, my improved method of attaching the blade to the handle by means of a
metal cap or collar having a projecting tongue or strap furnished at its back with
one, two, or more rivets or studs, may be advantageously employed for the manu-
facture of many other implements and instruments, from the great strength and
durability which it imparts thereto.
Figure 5 is a plan view of my improved metal collar or cap, with its projecting
tongue or strap and the rivets or studs a, a, thereon, b, b, being orifices for screws or
other fastenings to attach it to the front of the handle.
I would here remark that I do not confine myself to the particular form or shape
of the cap or collar, as shewn at Figure 5, as the same may be varied without
departing from the principle of my Invention.
What I claim and desire to secure as my Invention is,―
Firstly. The making the blade of a trowel, spade, or other implement of a longi-
tudinally curvilinear forin, so as to increase its penetrative power, and otherwise
to more readily adapt it for use, substantially as heroin-before described and
illustrated.
Secondly. My improved method of attaching or affixing the blade of a trowel,
spade, or any other implement or instrument to the front of the handle thereof by
means of a metal cap or collar furnished with a projecting tongue or strap having
any suitable number of rivets or studs formed on the back thereof, and affixed to
the front of the blade, substantially in the manner herein-before described and
illustrated.
It is evident that my improved principle of affixing the blade to the handle is
applicable to many implements and instruments, agricultural, surgical, and
otherwise.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Lec, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Seventeenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.