Improvements in the Manufacture of Scythes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 24th June, 1891-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Scythes.
I, JAMES BALL Providence Villa, Hillsbro' Mount, Sheffield, in the County of
York, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention of improvements in scythes is to reduce the cost of
manufacture, and to improve the article.
6
My invention which refers particularly to what are known as patent" scythes,
or scythes in which the blade is made of thin sheet steel, and strengthened by being
rivetted to a solid iron back, as is well known to the trade, is carried out as
follows.
I make the strip of steel which is to form the blade of greater width than is
usual, for the purpose of being turned over. I take a strip of iron or soft steel, say
(for example) of quarter of an inch square, or thereabouts, (but I do not hind
myself to any particular size, or to sectional shape,) and I taper and curve it at that
end which is to be near the point of the blade.
I prefer that the length of the strip of iron shall be shorter than the blade, so as
to terminate about six inches or thereabouts from the heel of the blade.
I now by the aid of suitable top and bottom tools or other tools, turn the back
edge of the blade steel over the strip of iron (or steel) and close it firmly against
the blade, so as to enclose the said strip of iron.
The blade is then hardened and tempered, ground and finished in the usual
manner, and the tang which is made to fit into the hollow of the turned over back
of the blade up to the strip of iron is finally secured by rivetting.
Dated the 23rd day of Sentember 1890
ROBT. F. DRURY, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Scythes.
I, JAMES BALL Providence Villa, Hillsbro' Mount, Sheffield in the County of
York, Gentleman 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 this invention of improvements in scythes is to reduce the cost of
manufacture and to improve the article, and it refers particularly to what are known
as patent" scythes, or those in which the blade is made of thin sheet steel,
and is strengthened by being rivetted to solid iron back, a scythe well known to
the trade.
I have illustrated my invention in the annexed sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1, represents a finished scythe.
Fig. 2, the iron or steel back piece.
Fig. 3, the back piece made in two parts.
Fig. 4, section through blade, full size.
In carrying out my invention, I make the blade A, wider than usual, so that
there may be material to turn over the strengthening strip, as hereafter described.
I provide a strip or rod of iron or steel B, say for example of quarter of an inch
square or thereabouts in cross section, and I taper and curve it at that end which
approaches the point of scythe blade, as shown in Fig. 3.
Price 67

page_text: In some cases I make the iron strip B, shorter than the blade, say about six
inches or so from the butt end of the blade, and I make the tang C, separate as
shown, but I prefer to make the strip or back piece and the tang in one continuous
piece as Fig. 2.
Having prepared the two parts namely the blade, and the back and tang, I
proceed with the aid of suitable top and bottom tools either held by the hand, or in
a fly press or other like machine, to turn the back edge of the blade over the
strengthening strip or back piece, and to close it firmly against the blade in the
longitudinal channel D, as seen in Fig. 4.
If the tang is separate, I secure it by a number of rivets, but if the tang is
solid with the back strip as in Fig. 2, I may either do without or use them as
preferred.
By my process I dispense with the labour of punching a considerable number of
holes in the blade, and drilling a corresponding number in the iron back, and the
process of rivetting the two parts together, and both the appearance and strength
of the scythe is superior to the old plan of manufacture.
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 is :-
1-The improvements in the manufacture of scythes, consisting in turning over
the back edge of the thin steel blade, so as to enclose a strengthening strip or rod,
with a tang, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated.
2-A scythe blade in which the back edge is turned over, and encloses a strip or
rod of iron or steel, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown.
Dated the 23rd day of June 1891.
ROBT. F. DRURY, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.