IMPROVEMENTS IN PICKS, PICK-AXES, HACKS, BEATERS, AND OTHER SIMILAR TOOLS."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Nicholas Robson, of Newbottle, in the County
of Durham, Blacksmith, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PICKS,
PICK-AXES, HACKS, BEATERS, AND OTHER SIMILAR TOOLS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Nicholas Robson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st December 1881.
THOMAS NICHOLAS ROBSON, of Newbottle, in the County of Durham,
Blacksmith. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PICKS, PICK-AXES, HACKS, BEATERS, AND
OTHER SIMILAR TOOLS."
My Invention relates to improvements in fixing the head to the shaft or handle
in miners' or other picks, pick-axes, hacks, beaters, and similar tools, and consists
as follows:-
I form the head of the pick or similar tool with an eye or socket made much
deeper than is usual, and tapered to suit the shaft or handle on to which it is
passed over the lower end.
"
The upper end of the shaft has inserted into it a steel wedge having a head
formed on it and secured in the shaft by a rivet or pin passing through it and
the shaft, and rivetted or otherwise fixed flush with the surface of the shaft.
The effect of this wedge is to set out the head of the shaft so as to make the
taper upon it a tight fit within the taper of the eye or socket of the head.
When the head gets slack upon the shaft by wearing, the taper is enlarged by
taking out the steel wedge (the rivet or pin being first knocked out) inserting on
each side of it a thin piece of wood, replacing the wedge and the rivet or pin
when the shaft is again ready to receive the head. The steel wedge is easily with-
drawn or driven in by means of the head formed upon it, which also serves to
protect the shaft when the pick head is being driven home upon it.
The pick head thus making a close fit upon the taper of the wooden shaft with-
out the intervention of any separate metallic ferrule or casing is free from
vibration or "jar" in the workman's hands.
The pick head and the handle are two pieces only, it is lighter to carry and to
work with, and strikes a firmer blow than the patent picks now in use.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Nicholas Robson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
1st June 1882.
THOMAS NICHOLAS ROBSON, of Newbottle, in the County of Durham,
Blacksmith. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PICKS, PICK-AXES, HACKS, BEATERS, AND
OTHER SIMILAR TOOLS."
My Invention relates to improvements in fixing the head to the shaft or handle
in miners' or other picks, pick-axes, hacks, beaters, and similar tools, and consists as
follows:-
I form the head of the pick or similar tool with an eye or socket made much
deeper than is usual, and tapered to suit the shaft or handle on to which it is
passed over the lower end.
The upper end of the shaft has inserted into it a steel wedge having a head
formed on it and secured in the shaft by a rivet or pin passing through it and
the shaft, and rivetted or otherwise fixed flush with the surface of the shaft.
The effect of this wedge is to set out the head of the shaft so as to make the
taper upon it a tight fit within the taper of the eyo or socket of the head.
When the head gets slack upon the shaft by wearing, the taper is enlarged by
taking out the steel wedge (the rivet or pin being first knocked out) inserting on
each side of it a thin piece of wood, replacing the wedge and the rivet or pin when
the shaft is again ready to receive the head. The steel wedge is easily withdrawn
or driven in by means of the head formed upon it, which also serves to protect the
shaft when the pick head is being driven "home" upon it.
The pick head thus making a close fit upon the taper of the wooden shaft without
the intervention of any separate metallic ferrule or casing is free from vibration or jar
in the workmen's hands. The pick head and the handle are two pieces only, it is
lighter to carry and to work with, and strikes a firmer blow than the patent picks
now in 190
Figures 1, 14, 1B, 2, 2ª, and 2³, are full natural size.
Figuro 1 is a section on line of head of pick, and Figure 14, is a sectional plan
through line a, b, on Figure 1, shewing the mode of application of a simple wedge W
inserted in the head of shaft S and held by the slightly tapered pin P passing
through it and the shaft.
Figure 2 is a section in line of head of pick, and Figure 2ª a sectional plan
through line c, d, on Figure 2, shewing the mode of application of a cruciform
wedge Wx inserted in the head of shaft S, and hold by the slightly tapered pin P
passing through it and the shaft; Figure 1 is a vertical section of the simple
wedge W, on line e, f, of Figure 1; Figure 2 is a vertical section of the cruciforin
wedge W* on line g, h, of Figure 2.
The wedge pieces W and W* are made preferably (for lightness and strength)
of cast steel, with a hole or slot for the pin P (when required) cast in them; but in
some cases I propose to dispense with this pin, depending upon the friction alone
of the wedge to fix it on the shaft. When the pick works loose upon the shaft
the wedge is drawn out and thin "liners" inserted in the cleft of shaft head,
between which the wedge is driven, and thus the taper is set out and the pick is
again firmly fixed; or a thicker wedge may be used without liners. The simplo
wedge W is applicable to tools for light work; but for heavy work the cruciform
wedge Wx is preferable.
Figures 3, 4, 5, & 6, are one quarter full sized,

page_text: Figure 3 shews a miner's pick; Figure 4, a navvy's pickaxe; Figure 5, a railway
beater; and Figure 6, a combined hammer and axe, known in Northumberland and
Durham as a deputy's axe, all fitted according to my Invention and needing no
further explanation.
Having now fully described my Invention and illustrated the modes in which it
may be practically applied to various tools, I do not bind myself to its application
to the tools named or shewn, as it is applicable to all similar tools when a metallic
head has to be secured on a wooden shaft or handle, but what I claim as novel and
secured to me by Letters Patent herein before in part recited is,―
The securing of a pick head or similar tool upon a wooden shaft without the
intervention of any metallic ferrule, casing, or fitting, by means of a wedge inserted
in the head of shaft, constructed and operating substantially as shewn and
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Nicholas Robson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirty first day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
Witness,
T. J. DANSON,
THOMAS NICHOLAS ROBSON. (L.S.)
Consulting Engineer & Patent Agent,
Newcastle on Tyne.
"