Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Sept., 1896
I, MICHAEL GAFFY of Glanmore Park, Mooroopna, in the Colony of Victoria,
Orchardist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide pruning shears (or cicatures) having
improvements over those commonly in use whereby a clean and sharp cut is obtained
with the exertion of minimum pressure.
The invention consists in constructing the blades and handle in two pieces
instead of in a single piece as in present forms of pruning shears or cicatures.
blades are secured to rebated portions of the handles with countersunk screws and
in such a manner that when said handles are secured together by the central
through pin the blades will lie adjacent to each other.
The blades are each at their cutting edges bevelled or splayed outwardly the
overlying faces being in plane. In existing machines the blunt face of one of the
Blades in the act of pruning presses upon and bruises or destroys the part cut. In
my invention this is obviated by thus bevelling both of the cutting edges of the
biades so that no obstruction is formed to affect the part cut and a clean and sharp
cut is obtained.
Near the end of one of the handles on its inside face I provide and secure a pin
which projects towards the inside face of the opposite handle, the said pin being
for the purpose of forming a stop when it comes in contact with the said handle
and so limit the movement of the parts in one direction.
The appliance is provided with a spring which is secured to one of the handles
ou its inside face and bears against the opposite handle so as to force same out and
open the cutting blades. I prefer to cut away a portion of the handles near their
bearing parts the said cut away portion being preferably circular and is provided to
receive and snug away the spring.
Dated this 22nd day of September 1896.
E. EATON,
Agent for Applicant.
I, MICHAEL GAFFY of Glanmore Park, Mooroopna, in the Colony of Victoria,
Orchardist, 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 is to provide pruning shears having improvements

page_text: over those commonly in use whereby a clean and sharp cut is obtained with the
exertion of minimum pressure.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings:
Figures 1 and 2 shew two front views of the shears.
Figure 3 shews a side view of the central portion of the shears.
In these drawings A A shew blades secured to rebated portions B of the
handles C with counter-sunk screws D in such a manner that when said handles are
secured together by the central through pin E the blades will lie adjacent to each
other.
The blades are each at their cutting edges A¹ bevelled or splayed outwardly the
overlying faces being in plane. In existing machines a sharpened blade cuts
against the resistance of a fixed block on the opposite member or lever and such
block bruises or destroys the tender vine or shoot when same is being pruned. In
my invention this is obviated by employing two cutting blades so that a clean and
sharp cut from both sides is obtained.
Near the end of one of the handles on its inside face I provide and secure a pin F
which projects towards the inside face of the opposite handle, the said pin being for
the purpose of forming a stop when it comes in contact with the said handle and so
limit the movement of the parts in one direction.
The appliance is provided with a spring G which is secured to one of the handles
on its inside face and bears against the opposite handle so as to force same out and
open the cutting blades. I prefer to cut away a portion of the handles at H the
said cut away portion being preferably circular and is provided to receive and snug
away the spring.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In pruning shears, two blades having cutting edges as "A¹," arranged to cut
equally towards one another during operation, said blades being curved
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. In pruning shears, rebated lever handles as "B" "C" with replacable blades
as "A" secured thereto such blades having their cutting edges bevelled,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. The combination and arrangement of the whole of the parts constituting the
complete pruning shears substantially as herein described and as illustrated on
the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Dated this 21st day of June 1897
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.