IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTORS OR GUARDS FOR CARVING FORKS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Bagshaw Plum, of Worcester, Cutler, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTORS OR GUARDS FOR CARVING
FORKS."
Sealed the 7th February 1879, and dated the 8th August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Bagshaw Plum at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th August 1878.
ROBERT BAGSHAW PLUM, of Worcester, Cutler. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTORS
OR GUARDS FOR CARVING FORKS."
In most arrangements of guards or protectors for carving forks to prevent the
carver from cutting his hand there is a spring which retains the guard in a vertical
position.
My improvement consists of using a guard or protector fixed on pivots in a slot
in the fork; the usual position for this guard is to lie flat. When the carver wishes
to protect his hand he places his forefinger on the enlarged disc of the guard which
elevates the protector, and so long as the fork is in use the carver, by merely
retaining his left forefinger, effectually protects his hand from any accident caused
by the slipping of the carving knife.
Another modification of my Invention consists of actuating the guard by means
of an electro-magnet or its equivalent

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Bagshaw Plum in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
February 1879.
ROBERT BAGSHAW PLUM, of Worcester, Cutler.
OR GUARDS FOR CARVING FORKS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTORS
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood and carried
into practical effect, I will now proceed to describe the same more particularly,
reference being had to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, and to the figures and
letters marked thereon, that is to say :-
Figure 1 of the Drawings shews a side elevation of the improved carving fork
guard; Figure 2 shews the same applied to a carving fork in use; and Figure 3 is
a plan of the guard.
The guard consists, firstly, of a metallic disc A, upon which the forefinger of the
carver's left hand rests when the fork is in use. The other parts consist simply of
the vertical guard B and the lug or wing piece C, which enters a corresponding slot
formed in the shank or blade of the fork. The guard is hung loosely upon a trans-
verse pivot, shown at D, so that when not depressed by the carver's finger it rests
upon the back of the fork, this being its normal position except when in use. Thus
when the carver takes the fork in hand, the guard is raised instantly by a slight
and instinctive pressure of the finger, and the old and somewhat dangerous plan of
lifting the guard by means of the carving knife against the force of a tolerably
strong spring is entirely avoided.
Another means of actuating the guard is by a small permanent magnet concealed
in the handle of the fork below the disc A, so that when the disc is depressed the
attractive force of the magnet is sufficient to sustain the guard in position as long
as may be required, a slight degree of force in the forward direction being sufficient
to place it in the normal or horizontal position.
Having described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is carried into effect, I wish it to be understood that what I claim and desire to
secure by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
Firstly. The form and arrangement of a loosely suspended guard for carving
forks, which is raised by the pressure of the user's forefinger, substantially as herein-
before described, and shewn in the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The general arrangement and construction of guards for carving forks,
which are raised and retained in position by the pressure of the finger or thumb
upon a projecting plate or disc, substantially as herein-before described, and shewn
under one modification in the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. The use and application of a permanent magnet for the purpose of
retaining the guards of carving forks, arranged according to my Invention, in an
erect position so long as may be desired, substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Bagshaw Plum, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
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