IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEARS FOR CUTTING CLOTH AND OTHER FABRICS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Stephen Purkis, of Stroud, in the County of
Gloucester, Drapers' Assistant, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEARS
FOR CUTTING CLOTH AND OTHER FABRICS."
Sealed the 4th July 1879, and dated the 12th March 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Stephen Purkis at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th March 1879.
HENRY STEPHEN PURKIS, of Stroud, in the County of Gloucester, Drapers'
Assistant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEARS FOR CUTTING CLOTH AND OTHER
FABRICS"
The chief object of this Invention is to facilitate the cutting up
and other fabrics for the formation of garments.
"
of woollen cloths
When using shears as ordinarily constructed it is difficult to cut through several
thicknesses of fabric at one time, owing to the power required to work the shears,
but it is manifest that any increase in the number of layers which can be cut at one
time will effect a material economy in labour, as the uppermost layer requires to be
marked with pattern lines to guide the workman.
Instead of making the shears as heretofore with looped handles extending rear-
wards from the two blades to receive respectively the thumb and fore finger of the
workman's hand, I construct the upper blade with a handle extending forward
parallel to the blade or nearly so, and of a form that will admit of its being grasped
by the workman. The lower blade I pivot to the upper, and further connect it by
means of a coiled or other. spring with that blade, or with the metal of which the
upper blade forms a part, in such a manner that the pull or pressure of the spring
upon or against a crank arm of the lower blade will give the shears a tendency to
remain open.
In cutting layers of fabric I run the lower blade under the fabric, and thus bring
the layers between the cutting edges. I then by simply pressing on the handle
close the shears and sever the fabrics in the line of the pattern marked on the upper
layer. I then allow the shears to open, and guide them forward, alternately pressing
down the upper blade and releasing it from pressure, and at each cut guiding the
shears along the pattern line. In this way the operation of cutting out may be
rapidly effected, and with a minimum expenditure of labour.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Stephen Purkis in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
September 1879.
HENRY STEPHEN PURKIS, of Stroud, in the County of Gloucester, Drapers'
Assistant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEARS FOR CUTTING CLOTH AND
FABRICS."
OTHER
The chief object of this Invention is to facilitate the cutting up of woollen cloths
and other fabrics for the formation of garments.
When using shears as ordinarily constructed it is difficult to cut through several
thicknesses of fabrics at one time, owing to the power required to work the shears,
but it is manifest that any increase in the number of layers which can be cut at
one time will effect a material economy in labour, as the uppermost layer requires
to be marked with pattern lines to guide the workman.
Instead of making the shears as heretofore with looped handles extending rearwards,
from the two blades to receive respectively the thumb and forefinger of the workman's
hand, I provide the upper blade with a handle which may extend forward parallel
to the blade or nearly so, and of a form that will admit of its being grasped by the
workman. The lower blade I pivot to the upper, and further connect the two
blades together by means of a coiled or other spring in such a manner that the pull
or pressure of the spring upon or against a crank arm of the lower blade will give
the shears a tendency to remain open.
In the accompanying Drawing I have shewn two arrangements for effecting the
object of my Invention, namely, the application to shears of forward hand pressure
in advance of the pivot pin in contradistinction to thumb pressure in rear of the
pivot pin.
Fig. 1 shews in side elevation the simplest form of my improved shears.
In this Figure A is the lower blade rounded towards its point to allow of its
sliding freely over the cutting table, and formed at its rear end with a tail piece A¹.
Pivotted to this lower blade at the point B is the upper blade C, which is formed
in one piece with the stem of the handle D. In the stem of this handle a segment
shaped slot c is cut to receive a pin a, which projects from the tail piece A¹ of the
lower blade A. The object of this pin and slot is to limit the amount of motion of
the blades. E is a curved spring made fast at one end to the handle stem, and
carried back over the tail A¹ of the lower blade A, so as to press upon it from the
rear. By this means a tendency will be given to the blades A and C to stand apart,
as shewn in the Drawing, ready to operate upon the goods which are to be sub-
mitted to their action.
In cutting layers of fabric with these shears I run the lower blade under the
fabric, keeping its rear end tilted or clear of the table, and thus bring the layers
between the cutting edges. I then by simply pressing on the handle close the
shears and sever the fabrics in the line of the pattern marked on the upper layer.
To effect a second cut I allow the shears to open and guide them forward, alternately
pressing down the upper blade and releasing it from pressure, and at each cut
guiding the shears along the pattern line.
Figures 2 and 3 shew a modification of the shears above described, Fig. 2 being
a view of the right hand side of the shears, and Fig. 3 a view of the left hand side
of the shears. In these Figures A is the lower blade, to which is pivotted the
upper blade C at the point B, as before, but the stem of the handle D'in this case,
instead of being made in one with the upper blade C, is made separate therefrom,
and pivotted at D' to an upward extension A¹ of the lower blade A. The coiled
spring E, which serves to open the shears, is in this instance made fast at one end
to the extension piece A', and carried round to press against an extension Clon

page_text: the rear end of the blade C. The stem of the handle has a cam shaped termi-
nation D, which bears upon the back of the blade C, and the contact parts are
chamfered to enable the cam as it comes into action not merely to depress the
blade C, but to press it laterally inwards in advance of its pivot, so as to com-
pensate for any looseness in the joint, and ensure a good cutting action. This
modification of the Invention, although somewhat more complicated than that
shewn at Fig. 1, possesses the advantage of carrying the power forward. in advance
of the centre of motion, and increases the efficiency of the shears at the points.
From the foregoing explanation it will now be understood that by means of my
improved shears the operation of cutting out may be rapidly effected, and that with
a minimum expenditure of labor.
Having now set forth the nature of my Invention of "Improvements in Shears
for Cutting Cloth and other Fabrics," and explained the manner of carrying the
same into effect, I wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited
Letters Patent I claim, constructing shears which may be worked with a forward
hand pressure in the manner and for the purpose above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Stephen Purkis, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the 10th day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
HENRY STEPHEN PURKIS. (L.S.)