Improvements in and relating to Table Forks.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Sept., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 31st May, 1890-Accepted, 5th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Table Forks.
I, GEORGE WALKER MUIR of 26 Windsor Terrace, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, late Coal
Master, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
My Invention has reference to a new or improved construction of table fork, of the
nature of a fork and spoon combined, which will have all the useful properties of the
ordinary modern broad table fork, in holding the more solid meats and food while
cutting and lifting them from the plate, and will have the new and great advantage
and additional convenience of lifting savoury sauces and gravies served therewith,
which table forks as heretofore constructed do not possess.
And in order that my invention may be properly understood, 1 have hereunto
appended a Sheet of Drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a perspective view and
Figures 2 and 3 a corresponding plan and section of one form or modification of my
new or improved construction of table fork, or fork and spoon A A¹ A² combined;
which however might be considerably varied in more shape or ornamental effect of
design. The improvements consist in forming the prongs A of the fork of from a
half inch to an inch in length (instead of two inches or more as heretofore) and in
hollowing out the part A2 between the prongs and the bottom of the handle A¹ at A"
in a spoon shape for the purpose of lifting the liquid or soft food with this part, as
well as the solid meat with the fork part. It will be understood however that the
spoon part need not be lower than the curved line of the back of the fork, as seen in
Figure 3, but rather that the edges at this back part be curved upwards to retain the
liquid food, and that it need not be otherwise wider or clumsier than an ordinary
table fork. And, further, that it may have two, three, four, or more prongs, and be
made of various sizes and various ornamental shapes and designs of handles A¹, such
as are usual to table forks; the essential feature of my Invention being the shortening of
the prongs and hollowing out or cupping up of the edges of the back part A² into
the spoon shape as and for the purposes and advantages described.
Dated 1011
1000
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Table Forks.
I, GEORGE WALKER MUIR, of 26 Windsor Terrace, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, late
Coal Master, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement in writing, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawing, that is to say :-
My Invention has reference to a new or improved construction of table fork, of
the nature of a fork and spoon combined, which I term a "Gravy Fork," and which
will have all the useful properties of the ordinary modern broad table fork, in holding
the more solid meats and food while cutting and lifting them from the plate, and
will have the new and great advantage and additional convenience of lifting savoury
sauces and gravies served therewith, which table forks as heretofore constructed do
not possess.
And in order that my invention and the manner of performing or carrying the
same into effect or practice may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended
a Sheet of Drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a perspective view, and Figure 2 a
corresponding plan, and Figure 3 a corresponding sectional elevation taken on the
[Price 6d 1

page_text: lines a-a in Figure 2 of one form or modification of my new or improved construction
of table gravy fork, or fork and spoon A A¹ A combined; which however might be
considerably varied in mere shape or ornamental effect of design. The improvements
consist in forming the prongs A of the fork of from about a half inch to an inch in
length (instead of two inches or more as heretofore) and in hollowing out the part A²
between the prongs
and the bottom part A" of the handle A¹ in a scoop or spoon
shape, somewhat lower at A² than the prongs A for the purpose of lifting the liquid
gravy, or it might be the broken up or soft food, with this part A2, while the solid
meat would be lifted by the fork part A as usual. It will be understood however that
the spoon part A³ need only be as low as the curved line of the back of the fork
as seen particularly in Figure 3, but rather that the edges at A3 at this back part
be curved upwards to retain the liquid food, and that it may be made parallel or nearly
parallel and therefore need not be otherwise wider or clumsier than an ordinary
table fork. And, further, that it may have two, three, four, or more prongs, five
being shown in these Drawings, and be made of various sizes and various
ornamental shapes and designs of handles A¹, such as are usual to table and dessert
forks.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I have to state that I am
aware that bulging out spoons with prongs on the ends have been mado heretofore
for use as salad spoons and other purposes and I make no claim to such, as my
invention is designed as a useful and practical table fork hollowed out for conveying
all liquid, broken up, and solid foods to the mouth without an excuse for or
requiring to use a knife for that purpose, and I therefore declare that what I
claim is..
-
The shortening of the prongs A of table forks and the hollowing out of the part A2
behind these by cupping up the edges A³ into a spoon or scoop shape, substantially
as and for the purposes and advantages herein described and shown in the accom-
panying Drawings.
Dated the 20th May 1890
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.