Improvements in Axes and Wedges for Splitting Wood.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 29th Jan. 1890-Accepted. 15th Mar.. 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Axes and Wedges for Splitting Wood.
I BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS of 23 Southampton Buildings in the
County of Middlesex Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of the said invention
a communication to me from abroad by David Estler Blacke of Sydney in the Colony
of New South Wales, Accountant to be as follows:-
In constructing axes and wedges for splitting wood instead of forming the sides
thereof smooth as heretofore they are according to the present invention formed with
a series of ribs on each side forming shallow grooves between said ribs ; these ribs and
grooves may be formed with flat faces or they may be in the form of corrugations.
By this construction the axe or wedge is made much more effective in wedging the
wood open as it is being split, thus lessening the friction and the tendency to wedge
fast in the wood as is the case with ordinary axes and wedges for splitting wood.
This form of axe or wedge with ribs and grooves or corrugations on its sides is
applicable both to machine axes and to axes for hand use as also to wedges for splitting
wood.
B. J. B. MILLS.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Axes and Wedges for Splitting Wood.
I, BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of 23 Southampton Buildings in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention, a com-
munication to me from abroad by David Estler Blacke of Sydney in the Colony of
New South Wales, Accountant, and in what manner the same is to be performed to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
In constructing axes and wedges for splitting wood, instead of forming the sides
thereof as heretofore either smooth or with grooves extending only a comparatively short
distance along the sides and commencing at some distance from the edge and forming
mere recesses in the general faces of the are or wedge or instead of forming the sides
with two projections commencing some distance from the edge, and formed with curved
edges they are according to the present invention formed with a series of parallel ribs
on each side extending from the level of about the centre of the socket down to the
edge thereof and forming shallow grooves between said ribs; these ribs and grooves
may be formed with flat faces or they may be in the form of corrugations or of V or
other shaped grooves between the ribs.
By this construction the axe or wedge is made much more effective in wedging the
wood open as it is being split by lessening the friction and the tendency to wedge
fast in the wood as in the case with axes and wedges for splitting wood as heretofore
constructed.
This form of axe or wedge with parallel ribs and grooves or corrugations extending
from the edge thereof as described is applicable both to machine axes and to axes for
hand use as also to wedges for splitting wood.
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings more fully to
describe the same.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1. is a side view of an axe head constructed according to the invention.
Figure 2. is a longitudinal section drawn on the line 1. 1 of Figure 1.
Figure 3. is a cross section drawn on the line 2. 2. of Figure 1. and Figure 4. is a
cross section of an axe showing a modification.
The axe head may be of any known form but according to the present invention
the sides thereof are formed with ribs a. a. between which are shallow grooves b. b.
These ribs and grooves are according to the invention formed parallel or approximately
so and they extend from the level of about the centre of the socket down to the edge
of the axe or wedge.
In Figures 1. 2 and 3 these ribs and grooves are shown with flat faces but it will
be readily understood that they may be in the form of corrugations or of ✓ grooves
between Hat faced ribs as represented at Figure 4.
The height of the ribs is gradually reduced towards the edge of the axe to enable
the same to be readily ground to a sharp edge.
The axe heads shown in the drawings are formed for axes for hand use but the
invention is also applicable to other forins of axes for either hand or machine use,
as also to wedges for splitting wood.
I would here remark that I do not confine myself to the forms or dimensions of
the grooves as such may be varied without departing from the nature of the
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
The manufacture of axes and wedges for splitting wood with parallel or approxi-
mately parallel ribs and grooves or corrugations on the sides thereof extending from
the socket or near thereto down to the edge of the axe or wedge, substantially as
herein shown and described.
1000
1000
Dated January
AVG 10
B. J. B. MILLS.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.-