IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO SCREW DRIVERS, PART OF THE INVENTION BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER TOOLS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Aldridge Weston, of 169, Fleet Street, in the
City of London, and of Stamford, Connecticut, in the United States of
America, Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
APPERTAINING TO SCREW DRIVERS, PART OF THE INVENTION BEING ALSO
APPLICABLE TO OTHER TOOLS."
Sealed the 15th June 1880, and dated the 18th December 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Aldridge Weston at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th December 1879.
THOMAS ALDRIDGE WESTON, of 169, Fleet Street, in the City of London, and of
Stamford, Connecticut, in the United States of America, Mechanical Engineer.
'IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO SCREW DRIVERS, PART OF THE
INVENTION BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER TOOLS."
22
The tang of my improved screw driver is wedge shaped, the sides of the wedge
diverging towards the outer extremity of the tang, the narrow or converging end
joining the body or shaft of the screw driver.
By preference the wedge shaped tang also has a converging or wedge shaped
cross section, so that the tang is a wedge narrower on one side than the other.
The handle or holder has its end recessed to correspond in section with the said
tang, and the part of the recess adapted to the broad extremity of the tang
extends into a still wider recess into which the tang can be freely introduced
sideways, the dovetailed or converging or deepest part of the recess being also open
aideways to admit the tang in that direction, and when so admitted the tang can
be pulled forward in the axial line of the tool until it is firmly embraced between
the wedge formed or converging sides of the said recess, the tool or screw driver
being thus chucked or placed truly in the centre or axial line of the holder. To
secure it rigidly in the last named position a short shaft screwed axially into the
holder behind the recess, and the tang therein is then screwed forward against the
broad butt or extremity of the tang to force and hold it solidly in its said axial
position in the holder. Thus, any force tending to press the tang back into the
holder is received upon the said screwed shaft, and any force tending to pull the

page_text: tang out of the holder only pulls it more firmly between the converging sides of
the recess. The body or shaft of the screw driver I make of steel or other metallic
tubing, the outer extremity of which is swaged or otherwise adapted to firmly
embrace the tang of a steel nozzle or end piece of the desired form to engage with
the head of the wood screws or other screws to be operated upon. The said end
piece being detachable is conveniently replaced by a new one at any time in case
of breakage, or one of different form at its acting end to avoid the necessity of
separate shafts or bodies. The holder may be pad formed for the hand as in the
common screw driver, or it may be attached to a common swing brace or
carpenter's brace to be operated with the usual crank or rotatory swinging motion,
or it may be attached to a cross lever to operate in the manner of a common auger
handle. In the latter form or use of my Invention ordinary augers or any like
rotatory tools can be advantageously operated. The holder may also be fitted to
the mandril or shaft of a lathe or other machine to be operated by power of any
kind. It is obvious that any kind of tool, such as a drill, or brad-awl, or gilet,
or chisel, or file, or reamer may be constructed with my improved wedge formed
tang, and operated by my aforesaid holder. It is also obvious that my tubular
screw driver body or shaft with its conveniently detachable acting end may be
placed in an ordinary handle or a metal one, and firmly secured therein for use in
the manner of common screw drivers, but with the advantages of this part of my
Invention, namely, the convenience of readily replacing the acting or end piece of
the tool when required, and the rigidity and lightness obtained by the hollow
tubular or cylindrical form of the body or shaft.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Aldridge Weston in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th June 1880.
THOMAS ALDRIDGE WESTON, of 169, Fleet Street, in the City of London, and of
Stamford, Connecticut, in the United States of America, Mechanical Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO SCREW DRIVERS, PART OF THE
INVENTION BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER TOOLS."
The tang of my improved screwdriver is wedge shaped, the sides of the wedge
diverging towards the outer extremity of the tang, the narrow or converging end
joining the body or shaft of the screw driver.
By preference the wedge shaped tang also has a converging or wedge shaped
cross section, so that the tang is a wedge narrower on one side than the other.
The handle or holder has its end recessed to correspond in section with the said
tang, and the part of the recess adapted to the broad extremity of the tang extends
into a still wider recess into which the tang can be freely introduced sideways,
the dovetailed or converging or deepest part of the recess being also open sideways
to admit the tang in that direction, and when so admitted the tang can be pulled
forward in the axial line of the tool until it is firmly embraced between the wedge
formed or converging sides of the said recess, the tool or screw driver being thus
chucked or placed truly in the centre or axial line of the holder. To secure it
rigidly in the last named position a short shaft screwed axially into the holder
behind the recess, and the tang therein is then screwed forward against the broad
butt or extremity of the tang to force and hold it solidly in its said axial position
in the holder. Thus, any force tending to press the tang back into the holder is
received upon the said screwed shaft, and any force tending to pull the tang out
of the holder only pulls it more firmly between the converging sides of the recess.
The body or shaft of screw-drivers I sometimes make of steel or other metallic
tubing, the outer extremity of which is swaged or otherwise adapted to firmly
embrace the tang of a steel nozzle or end piece of the desired form to engage with
the head of the wood screws or other screws to be operated upon. The said end
piece being detachable is conveniently replaced by a new one at any time in case of
breakage, or one of different form at its acting end to avoid the necessity of separate
shafts or bodies. The holder may be pad formed for the hand as in the cominon
screw driver, or it may be attached to a common swing brace or carpenter's
brace to be operated with the usual crank or rotatory swinging motion, or it may
be attached to a cross lever to operate in the manner of a common auger
handle. In the latter form or use of my Invention ordinary augers or any like
rotatory tools can be advantageously operated. The holder may also be fitted to
the mandril or shaft of a lathe or other machine to be operated by power of any
kind. It is obvious that any kind of tool, such as a drill, or brad-awl, or gimlet,
or chisel, or file, or reamer may be constructed with my improved wedge formed
tang and operated by my aforesaid holder. It is also obvious that my tubular
screw driver body or shaft with its conveniently detachable acting end may be
placed in an ordinary handle, or a metal one, and firmly secured therein for use in
the manner of common screwdrivers, but with the advantages of this part of my
Invention, namely, the convenience of readily replacing the acting or end piece of
the tool when required, and the rigidity and lightness obtained by the hollow
tubular or cylindrical form of the body or shaft.
The accompanying Drawings illustrate my Invention. Figure 1 represents my
improved screw driver in longitudinal plan, partly sectional; Figure 2 is a view at

page_text: right angles with Figure 1; Figure 3 is a small screwdriver blade shewn separately;
and Figures 4 to 7 are sectional views in the lines 1-1 to 4-4 respectively. Two
screw drivers A and B are here shown fitted to the same bandle, and one only A
being tubular suffices to illustrate that feature of my Invention The improved
tang C is shown of oval cross section. The tang of angular section is shown in
Figures 8 to 16 heroinafter described. Both forms have the characteristics of my
Invention, in tapering in a contrary direction to the ordinary tangs of screwdrivers
and other tanged implements, so that the largest end of the tang is furthest from
the acting portion of the tool. In Figures 1 to 7 D is the improved holder having
a shank D of the common form fitted to the socket of the pad handle E, to which
it is secured by a screw E¹. D is the chuck or nozzle containing a recess
conforming internally to the outlines of the tang C. X is a short screw with a
fixed collar X¹ for turning it. This screw is placed in an opening or mortise D³,
in the holder D, from which the collar X' projects slightly, as shown in Figures 2
and 6 for convenient handling. The tool is thus inserted:-First turn back the
screw X as far as possible into the holder or tang D¹, leaving room for the tang C
to be placed axially in the mortise D³ in the portion covered by the arrow in
Figure 2. The chuck D' is slotted lengthwise, as shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5, to
allow the tool shank C to pass in sideways until its axis is central with that of the
holder. The tool can then be pulled forward until the tang C is firmly in the
chuck D³, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5. The screw X may then be turned
until its plain end or point presses against the butt end of the tang, blocking tho
latter securely between the converging sides of the recess in the chuck D².
My tubular construction of the screw driver body is shown in the screwdriver A,
the acting end of which is tied or stayed by one or more cross pins or rivets A¹
which are embraced by a slot in the nozzle or blade A2. The said blade can thus
be driven into its place, and is rigidly held there and easily replaced by another
when required. This tubular form of screw-driver is capable of being fitted
effectively to the exterior of the holder D, as shown, by means of the projection or
feather A formed in it, which enters the slot of the chuck D, as shown in Figures
2 and 5. The butt or back end A' of the tube is flanged and abuts against a
shoulder on the holder to receive the working thrust of the tool. My said improved
tubular construction enables me to adapt to the same holder a series of larger tools
fitted to its exterior, and a smaller series fitted by my improved tang C to its
interior or chuck D. The improved tubular screwdriver may also be provided
when required with a plain wood handle in lieu of the holder D and pad handle E.
It may also be operated by a common swing brace or bit stock, for which the taper
shank D is suitably formed, simply by removing the pad E. In like manner all
the tools fitted to the chuck D³ can be operated. The pad handle E is represented
as made of cast metal, but it may be of wood, as in Figures 8 and 9, or of other
suitable material.
Figures 8 and 9 are longitudinal views of a modification of my Invention for the
smaller class of tools, as for example, a "brad-awl," Figure 10 Figures 11 to 16
are sectional views thereof on the 1-1 to 6-6 respectively. D is the holder, D³ the
mortise or recess into which the tool, Figure 10, may be placed; the screw X
having its milled collar or head X¹ in a second mortise D* for manipulation, as
already explained for Figures 1 to 7. E is a pad handle or plug of wood pinned
into the socket or butt end of the holder D.
Figures 17 and 18 represent my last described modification applied to a
gimlet" or T shaped handle, and Figure 19 is a sectional view in the line 1-1;
D is the holder having a chuck D³ and screw X, similar to Figures 8 and 9. The
holder D is cast or otherwise formed in a piece with the cross handle E.
Figures 20 to 22 represent a sewing awl handle made according to my Invention,
in which the chuck D, mortise Ds, and screw X, X', are relatively arranged as in
Figures 1 to 7. The holder D is a hollow casting having a wood plug E fixed into

page_text: ts back end to complete the usual form of a sewing awl handle. Its awl or other
ool is inserted or removed similarly to the small tool B, Figure 1.
Figures 23 to 25 represent my Invention applied to tools having their handles
t right angles, or nearly so, with the tool in the manner of a hammer, hoe, or
pick. D is the bolder; D2, the chuck; B, the tool; C, its wedge formed tang;
and X is the screw with head or collar X'. These several parts are arranged
relatively to and resemble broadly the corresponding parts in Figures 8 and 9, the
main difference being in the position of the handle E at right angles with the
holder and tool.
Figures 26 to 28 represent a modification of my Invention, in which the rotatory
adjusting piece formed by the screw X in the former examples here becomes a
cam or small disc X (shewn separately in Figures 29 and 30) by making its axis
of rotation perpendicular to the tool and holder. D is the holder; D², the chuck, a
A circular opening or
section of which in the line 1-1 is shown by Figure 28
mortise Ds is made in the holder to receive the cam X, which has two small lugs
or ears on its side for turning it, and a central square hole X for the like
purpose by inserting therein the end of a screw driver or key. The ears or lugs X¹
prevent the cam from being pushed too far into the recess or through it. A
segment of the cam is cut away on the side to allow it to pass the end of the
tang C, which projects into the recess D³. This projecting end of the tang is
sharpened or curved to fit a groove or depression X in the periphery of the cam.
This groove is deeper at one end, giving a wedging or cam action as the cam is
turned, and thus pressing the tang into the chuck D with like results to the screw
in the previously described examples. The cam being withdrawn from the holder
the tool can be placed therein, as shown in Figures 26 and 27 in the manner
already described, and securely locked there when the cam is replaced by turning
the cam in the direction of the arrow, Figure 29.
I am aware that one well known form of mill pick has its movable blade
made with its butt end thickened or of wedge form to fit into corresponding
serrations or transverse grooves in the two halves of the pick head or holder, the
said halves being clamped together upon the blade. In this device the holder is in
two parts, and their clamping action exerts its force flatwise upon the blade or
my Invention
transversely to its length, and I do not claim such construction. In
the holder is a single piece, into which a screw or equivalent adjusting device forces
the blade or tool in the direction of its length. I am also aware that one of the
carliest forms of an adjustable awl or tool handle has a tapering socket or holder
in one piece, into which the awl or tool tang is forced by a screw cap passed over
the tool and forcing the tang backwards into the socket or handle, which construc-
tion I do not claim. In my Invention the adjusting device forces the tool the
O contrary way or outwards from the handle, with many accruing advantages,
such as avoiding the necessity of making the tool small enough and straight
enough to pass through the screwed cap, whereas by my Invention, if desired,
such irregularly formed articles as a pruning hook, a garden trowel, or the
blade of a cavalry lance can be attached to and made easily removable from their
5 handles or shafts, simply by forming their shanks or tangs and holders or
sockets in the manner hereinbefore set forth.
55
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
First. The improved handle or tool holder applicable to screwdrivers and other
0 tanged implements, substantially, as hereinbefore described and represented in the
annexed Drawings.
Second. The improved tubular screw driver body with flanged butt and
removable tips, substantially as hereinbefore described and represented in
Figures 1, 3, and 5.
Third. The improved tool holder constructed to hold two series or sets of tools,

page_text: that is to say, the one series or set in a chuck or interior recess and the other
upon the exterior of the said chuck, substantially as herein before described and
represented in Figures 1, 3, and 5.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Aldridge Weston, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of June, One thousand eight hundred
and eighty.
THOS. A. WESTON. (L.S.)