An Improved Method of Combining in one Article a Crochet Hook, Sheath-handle and Needle Case.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 20th mar., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 17th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 12th Feb.,
1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Combining in one Article a Crochet Hook,
Sheath-handle and Needle Case.
―
I, GEORGE FIELD, of Studley, near Redditch, in the County of Warwick, Needle
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows;
My invention relates to a method by which the handle part of the complete
crochet hook is made to serve both as a handle for the hook when in use and as a
sheath for the same when not in use, at the same time affording a receptacle for
sewing needles.
To accomplish this purpose, I first provide a tube made of metal, or of any
material suitable for making such a tube as my invention requires. The length
of this will vary, say from four to six inches, according to the size of the crochet
hook for which it has to serve as a sheath and the length of the sewing needles which
it has to contain. It will be left open at each end, and the internal diameter of
the tube will be about three-sixteenths of an inch.
I next provide a short tube, by preference of metal, and, say two inches in length,
its external diameter being such as to coincide with the internal diameter of the
longer tube, which I will now call the "handle tube." This shorter tube has about
half way down a collar, intended to serve as a stop, and is open at one end. In
this open end I fix the shank of the crochet hook by means of a wooden plug or
other ordinary means of securing it, while the opposite end of this shorter tube is
closed.
The crochet hook being thus fixed, when it is required for use, the closed end of
the shorter tube will be inserted in the "handle tube" and pushed down it until
stopped by the collar above named. When not required for use, the shorter tube
has only to be withdrawn from the handle tube, reversed, and the crochet hook
inserted in this, the shorter tube being pushed down until again stopped by its
collar. The handle tube then serves as a sheath for the crochet hook, protecting
both this and the user from injury in the carriage of it.
وو
For insertion in the other open end of the handle tube I prepare a cylindrical
needle case. This is formed of a short piece of tubing, preferably of metal, its
external diameter also coinciding with the internal diameter of the handle tube,
while it is about the same in length as that previously named as the "shorter tube
and is like it provided about midway down with a stop collar, and is closed at one
end. This cylindrical needle case may be provided at the unclosed end with a
metal cap lid, and serves to contain a certain quantity or selection of sewing needles.
When these needles are not required for use their cylindrical case is inserted in
the open end of the handle tube opposite to that containing the crochet hook and
pushed down until stopped by the collar, from which position it can easily be
withdrawn, and the needles be taken out for use.
And both the short. tubes are so adapted to the internal diameter of the handle
tube that they remain as securely in their places as may be desirable, yet not so
irmly as not to be readily withdrawn when required.

page_text: And in the manufacture of the several parts belonging to this my invention I
use no tools or processes not. commonly known to workers in any of the materials
employed, and the above is an improvement inasmuch as. two classes of goods useful
in housewifery are contained in one case, and both are fully protected. from injury
when not in use, and also in carriage.
1657
An Improved Method of Combining in one Article a Crochet Hook,
Sheath-handle and Needle Case.
I, GEORGE FIELD, of Studley, near Redditch, in the County of Warwick, Needle
Manufacturer, 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:
My invention relates to a method by which the handle part of the complete
crochet hook is made to serve both as a handle for the hook when in use, and as a
sheath for the same when not in use, at the same time affording a receptacle for a
case containing sewing needles. To accomplish this purpose, I first provide a tube,
made of metal, or of any material suitable for making such a tube as my invention
requires. The length of this will vary, say from four to six inches, according to
the size of the crochet hook for which it has to serve as a sheath, and the length of
the sewing needles which the case has to contain. It will be left open at each end,
and the internal diameter of the tube will be about three-sixteenths of an inch. I
next provide a short tube, by preference of metal, and, say two inches in length,
its external diameter being such as to coincide with the internal diameter of the
longer tube which I will now call the "handle tube" or "sheath handle." This
shorter tube has about half way down, a collar intended to serve as a stop, and is
open at one end. In this open end I fix the shank of the crochet hook by means
of a wooden plug or other ordinary means of securing it, while the opposite end of
this shorter tube is closed.
The crochet hook being thus fixed, when it is required for use, the closed end
of the shorter tube will be inserted in the handle tube, or sheath handle, and pushed
down it, until stopped by the collar above named. When not required for use the
shorter tube has only to be withdrawn from the handle tube, reversed, and the
crochet hook inserted in this, the shorter tube being pushed down until again
stopped by the collar. The handle tube then serves as a sheath for the crochet
hook, protecting both this and the user from injury in the carriage of it. For
insertion in the other open end of the handle tube I prepare a cylindrical needle
case. This is formed of a short piece of tubing, preferably of metal, its external
diameter also coinciding with the internal diameter of the handle tube, while it is
about the same in length as that previously named as the "shorter tube," and is
like it provided about midway down with a stop collar, and is closed at one end.
This cylindrical needle case may be provided with a metal cap lid at the unclosed
end, and serves to contain a certain quantity, or selection of sewing needles.
When these needles are not required for use their cylindrical case is inserted in
the open end of the handle tube opposite to that containing the crochet hook, and
pushed down until stopped by the collar, from which position it can easily be with-
drawn, and the needles be taken out for use.
And both the short tubes are so adapted to the internal diameter of the handle
tube that they remain as securely in their places as may be desirable, yet not so
firmly as not to be readily withdrawn when required.

page_text: Nevertheless I reserve to myself the option of cutting upon that part of the shorter
tube having the closed end a screw thread working into a corresponding screw
thread in the interior part of the handle tube and at its extremity, for the purpose
of holding the shorter tube more firmly in position for work, and consequently
the crochet hook also; and I may provide a similar screw arrangement for the
greater security in place of the cylindrical needle case, or where the embossed
decoration on the exterior of the handle tube is of a spiral nature, I may
accomplish the same result by having a corresponding spiral embellishment upon
each of the parts fitting into it, in place of the screw thread arrangements above
mentioned.
And in the manufacture of the several parts belonging to this my invention, I
use no tools or processes not commonly known to workers in any of the materials
employed; and the above described is an improvement inasmuch as two classes of
goods useful in housewifery are contained in one case, and both are fully protected
from injury when not in use, and also in carriage.
And the application of my invention is as follows: If I wish to use the crochet
hook, I take hold of the closed end of the shorter tube and withdraw or unscrew this
from the handle tube. I then reverse the position of this and insert or screw the
closed end of it in the handle tube and the crochet hook is then ready for use. In
like manner if I wish to use a sewing needle I withdraw or unscrew the cylindrical
needle case from the opposite end of the handle tube and take out the needle I
require. Either part having served the purpose for which it was intended, I have
only to reverse it and refix it in the handle tube.
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:-
The above described method of combining in one article, a crochet hook with a
handle tube which can be used as a sheath for the hook when this is not in use,
and as a handle for it when in use, the handle tube also at the opposite end affording
a receptacle for a cylindrical needle case; all substantially as above set forth.
Dated this Sixteenth day of December One thousand eight hundred and ninety-
seven
GEORGE FIELD.