IMPROVEMENTS IN' METALLIC HANDLES FOR CROCHET NEEDLES, AND IN FASTENING OR CONNECTING CROCHET NEEDLES TO THEIR HANDLES
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Burgess, of the Firm of John Burgess
and Sons, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manu-
facturers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN' METALLIC HANDLES
FOR CROCHET NEEDLES, AND IN FASTENING OR CONNECTING CROCHET NEEDLES
TO THEIR HANDLES.”
.
Sealed the 16th May 1873, and dated the 25th January 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Burgess at tho
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
25th January 1873.
I, JOHN BURGESS, of the Firm of John Burgess and Sons, of
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturers, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC
HANDLES FOR CROCHET NEEDLES, AND IN FASTENING OR CONNECTING CROCHET
NEEDLES TO THEIR HANDLES," to be as follows:
-
My Invention consists of the improvements hercin-after described in
the construction of metallic handles, and parts of metallic handles of

page_text: handles.
By my improvements the handles are made very economically, and
the needles are fastened to their handles with a security and steadiness
unattainable by the ordinary method of fastening.
In making crochet needle handles according to my Invention, I cut
out from sheet metal a blank having by preference a taper figure. The
edges of the said blank may be scolloped or otherwise ornamented,
or they may be plain. I pierce cross openings or slots in the middle
of the blank, and from the parts so divided I raise along the middle
or axial line of the blank a series of semicircular channels or depressions
of the size of the stem of the needle to be fixed to the handle. These
separated channels although in the same line are situated alternately
on opposite sides of the blank, the convex side of one channel alter-
nating with the concave side of the next channel on the same side
of the blank. There is thus formed a nearly flat handle having at
intervals along its middle a series of semicircular channels situated
alternately on opposite sides of the handle for receiving the crochet
needle. At the narrow end of the handle a tubular part or nose is made
which is somewhat clastic and clips the needle passed through it. The
channel at the head or broad end of the handle projects beyond the said
head and is pierced with a hole. I use a needle having an expanded end
pierced with an cyo or hole.
In securing the needle to the handle the noedle with its hooked end
forward is passed down the channels described in the middle of the
handle, and through the tubular nose part at the bottom or narrow, end
of the handle. The cyc or hole in the head of the needle being brought
opposite the hole in the projecting part at the head of the handle a ring
or rivet is passed through the two coincident holes. The needle is
thereby fastened very firmly to the handle. Besides the fastoning
described the clasticity of the tubular nose of the handle and the
accuracy with which the needle fits in the central channels, assist
in securing the needle to the handle, and also give great steadiness
to the needle. A tubular picco similar to that at the nose end of tho
handle may be made at the head of the handle; in this case the needle ;
may cither be provided with a knob through which, and the tubular

page_text: piece of the handle, a ring or rivet is passed for fastening the needle
to the handle, or the said needle may have an expanded end with an eye
or hole in it for the same purpose.
A continuous trough or a semi-cylindrical depression may be made
along the middle of the flat handle to receive the needle instead of the
alternating channels described, the said handle being furnished with a
tubular part at one or both ends, and being fastened to the needle in the
manner before described.
The tubular parts at one or at both ends of the handles, and the
method described of fastening the needles to the handles, may be applied
to metallic handles having a cylindrical, flat, oval, or other figure in
cross section.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Burgess in the Great Scal Patent Office on
the 19th July 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
BURGESS, of the Firm of John Burgess and Sons, of Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Manufacturers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of January, in the
ycar of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Burgess, Her special license
that I, the said John Burgess, my exccutors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Burgess, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, usc, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "Improvements
IN METALLIC HANDLES FOR CROCHET NEEDLES, AND IN FASTENING OR CONNECTING
CROCHET NEEDLES TO THEIR HANDLES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said John Burgess, my executors or administrators, by an

page_text: scals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Burgess, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say :-
-
My Invention consists of the improvements herein-after described in
the construction of metallic handles and parts of metallic handles, and
in fastening or connecting crochet needles to their handles.
By my improvements the handles are made very economically, and
the needles are fastened to their handles with a security and steadiness
unattainable by the ordinary method of fastening.
In making crochet needle handles according to my Invention I cut
out from sheet metal a blank having by preference a taper figure. The
edges of the said blank may be scolloped or otherwise ornamented,
or they may be plain. I pierce cross openings or slots in the middle
of the blank, and from the parts so divided I raise along the middle
or axial line of the blank a series of semicircular channels or depressions
of the size of the stem of the needle to be fixed to the handle. Theso
separated channels although in the same line are situated alternately
on opposite sides of the blank, the convex side of one channel alter-
nating with the concave side of the next channel on the same side
of the blank. There is thus formed a nearly flat handle having at
intervals along its middle a series of semicircular channels situated
alternately on opposite sides of the handle for receiving the croclict
needle. At the narrow end of the handle a tubular part or nose is made;
which is somewhat clastic, and clips the needle passed through it. The
channel or semicircular part at the head or broad end of the handlo
projects beyond the said head and is pierced with a hole. I use with
this handle a needle having an expanded end pierced with an eye or
hole.

page_text: In securing the needle to the handle the needle with its hooked end
forward is passed down the channels described in the middle of the
handle and through the tubular nose part at the bottom or narrow end
of the handle. The eye or hole in the head of the needle being brought
opposite the hole in the projecting tubular part at the head of the
handle, a ring or rivet is passed through the two coincident holes. The
needle is thereby fastened very firmly to the handle. Besides the
fastening described the elasticity of the tubular nose of the handle,
and the accuracy with which the needle fits in the central channels,
assist in securing the needle to the handle, and also give great steadiness
to the needle. A tubular picce similar to that at the nose end of the
handle may be made at the head of the handle. In this case the needle
may either be provided with a knob through which and the tubular
piece of the handle a ring or rivet is passed for fastening the needle
to the handle, or the said needle may have an expanded end with an cyc
or hole in it for the same purpose.
A continuous trough or a semi-circular depression may be made
along the middle of the flat handle to receive the needle, instead of the
alternating channels described, the said handle being furnished with a
tubular part at one or both ends, and being fastened to the needle in the
manner before described.
The tubular parts at one or at both ends of the handles, and the
method described of fastening the needles to the handles, may be applied
to metallic handles having a cylindrical, flat, oval, or other figure in
cross section.
Having explained the nature of my Invention, I will procced to
describe with reference to the accompanying Drawing the manner in
which the same is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents in back elevation, Figure 2 in side elevation, and
Figure 3 in section, a flat or nearly flat metallic handle of a crochet
needle made according to my Invention, the crochet needle being also
fastened to the said handle according to one of my improvements;
Figure 1 is a section of part of the same drawn double the full size.
a is the metallic handle cut from sheet metal, the said handle having
a taper figure and ornamented edges. Along the middle or axial line
of the handle is a series of semicircular channels or depressions situated
alternately on opposite sides of the said handle. These channels are

page_text: of a size proper to receive the step of the crochet needle. The channels
on one side of the handle are marked b, and those on the opposite sido
are marked c.
By an examination of the Drawing it will be seen that the concave
side of one channel alternates with the convex side of the next channel
on the same side of the handle. These channels b and c are made by
piercing at equidistant points in the middle of the sheet metal blank
cross openings or slots at d, and by means of press tools raising the
channels b, c, on opposite sides from the separated central parts of the
blank. The needle e is fastened to the nearly flat handle in the 1
following way-At the narrow end of the handle a is a tubular
clastic part or nose made in one piece with the said handle. At the
broad end of the handle is a semi-tubular part 9 projecting beyond
the head of the handle. This tubular part g is in a line with the
central channels b, c, and is made at the same time as the said :
channels. In the said tubular part y a hole is pierced, and a hole
or cyc i is also pierced in the needle e to be fastened to the handle.
To fasten the needle e to the handle a the hooked end of the said
needle is passed down the central channels b, c, in the handle until
the hole in the head of the needle e is brought opposite the hole
in the projecting tubular part g at the head of the handle. By passing
a ring (or a rivet) through the holes h, i, in the handle and needle,
the said needle is fastened to the handle. The needle is further fastened
to the handle by closing the tubular nose part upon the needle. This
closing of the part upon the needle is effected by a pair of dies or tools
worked in a press. The needle is thereby fastened to the handle at top
and bottom, the central channels b, c, in which its stem lies giving
great steadiness to the needle.
The hook of the needle c is protected by the moveable cylindrical cap
or protector 7, represented in Figures 2 and 3.
cap is clastic and fits tightly upon the nose part
The open end of this:
of the handle.
Instead of fastening the needle to the head of the handle by a ring
or cross rivet as last described, a tubular part at the head of the handle
may be closed upon the head of the needle. This arrangement of my
Invention is illustrated in back clevation in Figure 4, and side elevation;
in Figure 5 of the Drawing. a is the nearly flat handle made from
sheet metal, the said handle having at top a tubular part m, and at

page_text: bottom a nose or tubular part p, which parts, m, p, arc closed upon tho
needle e by press tools. The top of the needle is expanded or has a head
upon it.
In order to fasten the needle more securely to the handle a ring or
rivet may be passed through holes in the tubular part m and needle,
or a rivet may be passed through holes in the nose part p and needle
for a like object. The handle of the crochet needle is provided with
a continuous trough or semi-cylindrical depression 1 along its middle
to receive the needle.
Figure 6 represents another crochet needle constructed according to
my Invention. In this arrangement a short needle e is used which
is fastened to the narrow end of the handle a by a tubular nose or
part r closed upon it; or a cross pin may be passed through the needle
and tubular part r. The flat handle a, Figure 6, is strengthened or
made rigid by the semi-cylindrical channel or troughs along its
middle.
Figure 7 represents in back clovation, Figure 8 in edge view, and
Figure 9 in front elevation, another crochet needle, the handle of which
is made and the needle fastened to it according to my Invention;
Figure 9 represents the blank from which the handle is made. This
handle which is flat is made by folding the side parts t, t, of the sheet
metal blank, Figure 94, at the dotted lines upon the central part u.
At the narrow end of the handle, and made in one piece therewith, is a
tubular nose piece. The short needle e is fastened to the flat handle
by closing the said tubular nose piece v upon the said needle by press
tools, as before described.
Figure 10 represents a handle of the last described kind, excepting
that it has parallel sides instead of taper sides.
Handles made by folding the metal in the manner last described may
have a trough or semi-cylindrical channel running along the front plate
thereof for giving additional strength to the handle.
Figure 11 represents a crochet needle having a cylindrical metallic
handle, the needle being fastened thereto according to my Invention.
10 is the cylindrical metallic handle made in the ordinary way; x is the
tubular piece at the nose end of the handle for fastening the short
"

page_text: needle e to the said handle, the said nose or tubular piece being closed
upon the needle.
Figure 12 represents a crochet needle having a metallic handle, oval
in cross section, the needle being fastened to the handle in the manner
last described; to is the oval handle; a is the tubular nose piece;
e is the needle fixed by the closing of the said nose piece upon it.
and
Instead of fastening the needle to the cylindrical or oval handle at
the nose and only, as represented, a long needle may be used and
passed through the handle and fastened at the head thereof, by providing
the head of the handle with a semi-tubular or tubular piece and closing
it upon the head of the needle, or by passing a cross pin or ring through
the needle and semi-tubular or tubular piece at the head of the
handle.
The short needles of the several handles represented may be provided
with heads or knobs, upon which heads the nose pieces are closed.
Additional security in fastening the needles is thereby obtained.
My method of fastening crochet needles to their handles by means
of tubular or semi-tubular pieces at one or at both ends of the handles,
may be applied to metallic handles having other sectional figures than
those represented.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that
I do not limit myself to the precise details herein described and
illustrated, as the same may be varied without departing from the
nature of my Invention; but I claim as my Invention,―
Firstly. The improvements in metallic handles for crochet needles,
herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawing,
that is to say, making the said handles by cutting a blank from sheet
metal and forming along the middle of the blank a scrics of channels
or depressions, the said channels or depressions being situated alternately
on opposite sides of the blank, substantially as in Figures 1, 14, 2, and 3;
or forming a continuous trough or channel along the middle of the blank,
as in Figures 4, 5, and 6; also forming flat metallic handles by bending
the sheet metal in the manner described and illustrated in Figures 7, 8,
9, 9, and 10 of the Drawing.

page_text: Secondly. The improvements in fastening or connecting crochet
needles to metallic handles, herein-before described and illustrated in
the accompanying Drawing, that is to say, by means of a tubular
part at one or at both ends of the handle, the said tubular part or parts
being closed upon the needle so as to fasten it to the handle, or fastening
the needle to the handle at one or at both ends by means of a cross pin
or rivet or ring passed through a hole in the tubular or semi-tubular
part or parts of the handle, and through a hole in the needle, sub-
stantially as described and illustrated.
Witness,
HENRY SKERRETT,
Clerk to George Shaw,
Birmingham.
JOHN BURGESS. (L.S.)