Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Oct., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 19th July, 1895-Accepted, 24th Aug., 1895
I, ARTHUR HEALD of 342 Strand in the County of Middlesex, Author do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in guards for carving forks, whereby such
guards are retained, when in use, in an upright position, and is as follows:-
The lower end of the guard-that portion which is concealed in the slotted stem
of the fork-is prolonged to the extent of about a quarter of an inch, a tail-piece
being thus formed.
The slot in the stem, instead of being, as is commonly the case, in the upper side
of the fork only, is cut through it and is extended to about three quarters of au inch
behind the pivot that supports the guard; and at the end farthest from the guard
a swinging block or tumbler is inserted. This tumbler is formed with a stud on its
lower side, and, when the guard is raised and the tumbler is released, this stud
protrudes through the lower side of the slot and forms a thumb-piece by which the
tumbler can be raised.
When the guard occupies a horizontal position-parallel to the stem of the fork,
or nearly so the tumbler rests on the tail-piece at the lower end of the guard and
lies parallel, or nearly so, to it.
On raising the guard with the finger in the usual way, the tumbler gradually
descends until, on reaching the bottom of the slot, it becomes wedged against the
lower end of the guard, which it thus holds in a position at right angles, or nearly
so, to the fork.
To lower the guard, all that is necessary is to press the thumb-piece on the lower
side of the tumbler protruding through the slot, when the guard falls, raising the
tumbler at the same time.
Instead of the thumb-piece at the bottom, an attachment may be made to the
upper side of the tumbler, or to its side, working through a slot, for the purpose of
raising the tumbler.
By another arrangement the tumbler that retains the guard in an upright position
is placed in front instead of behind the guard; in which case it is formed with a
catch or latch, which, when in use, falls into a corresponding notch, or equivalent
contrivance, in the lower end of the guard.
This invention may be used either without, or in combination with the spring now
commonly employed.
7
tahan 1901
IARTHUR HEALD of 342 Strand in the County of Middlesex Author do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
0 performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The lower end of the guard of the carving fork-that portion which, when the

page_text: guard is raised, is concealed in the slotted stem of the fork-is prolonged to the
extent of from a quarter to three eighths of an inch from the pivot, and of
the tailpiece thus formed the side nearest to the handle of the fork is made slightly
concave.
The slot in the stem of the fork, instead of being, as is commonly the
case, in the upper side ouly of the stem, is cut through it and is extended to
about three quarters of an inch behind the pivot that supports the guard; and
within this slot behind the guard is a swinging block or tumbler working on a
pivot.
This tumbler is formed with a projection or stud (which acts as a thumbpiece,)
either on its upper or its lower surface.
On pressing this stud-forwards, if on the upper surface, and backwards, if on
the lower the guard is immediately raised and the tumbler descends, until, on
reaching the bottom of the slot, it becomes wedged against the lower end or
tailpiece of the guard, which it thus holds in a position at right angles, or nearly
so, to the stem of the fork.
Or the guard may be raised with the finger and thumb and the tumbler allowed
to fall into position by its own weight; but I prefer, in using my invention,
to press down the tumbler, after the manner just described, and thus force up the
guard.
When the guard is not in use and occupies a position parallel to the stem of the
fork, or nearly so, the tumbler rests on the lower end or tailpiece of the guard and
lies parallel, or nearly so, to it.
To lower the guard, all that is necessary is to move the stud in the opposite
direction, when the guard will at once fall.
Instead of a stud or thumbpiece on either the upper or the lower surface of the
tumbler, such stud or thumbpiece may be attached to one of the sides, in which case
it would work through a slot in the stem of the fork.
If desired, in order to keep the guard erect in whatever position the fork may be
held, the lower portion of such guard may be split transversely in such a way that
the split portion will come into contact with the tumbler, and, acting as a sort of
spring, will prevent it from slipping. Or the tumbler may be split lengthways, that
part of the tumbler around the pivot on which it works being made somewhat wider
than the slot in which it fits, so that it will press on the sides of the slot. Or both
guard and tumbler may be split. Or a separate spring may be attached to either
or both.
In Figure 1, the fork is shown with the guard and the tumbler in the positions
they assume when the fork is not in use.
In Figure 2, the same fork is shown with the guard up and the tumbler down,
ready for use.
In both figures the stud or thumbpiece for actuating the tumbler is formed on
the upper surface of the tumbler, but it may be formed, if preferred, either on the
lower surface, or on one of the sides, as already described. I prefer, however, on
the top of the tumbler, as shown in the drawings.
By another arrangement the tumbler that retains the guard in an upright position
is placed before, instead of behind the guard; in which case it is formed with
a catch or latch which, when in use, falls into a corresponding notch, or equivalent
device in the tailpiece at the lower end of the guard.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In a carving fork the combination of a guard with a tail piece at its lower end,
and a tumbler behind it (furnished with a stud or thumbpiece on its upper or its
lower surface or on its side) working against such guard for the purpose of raising
it and keeping it upright, substantially as herein before described.

page_text: 2. In a carving-fork the combination of a guard with a tailpiece furnished with
a notch or equivalent device, and a tumbler in front of it having a corresponding
catch or latch for the purpose of retaining such guard upright, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
3.1 1005
ARTHUR HEALD.