Improvements in Soldering Irons.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 12th May, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Soldering Irons.
We, JOSEPH STOKER, of 26 Peel Street, Wolverhampton in the County of
Stafford, Smith, and CLARENCE ROBERT HECKFORD, of 155 Lower Stafford
Street, Wolverhampton, aforesaid, Lock 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 :-
A soldering iron, as usually constructed, has the bit riveted rigidly to the shank,
and the bit is therefore always in the same position in relation to the shank. A
soldering iron is, however, sometimes required for use with the bit in position in
line with the axis of the shank and sometimes in position at one angle therewith
and sometimes in position at another. It is frequently necessary therefore to have
several soldering irons at hand to answer all requirements, and this is specially
inconvenient when the tools have to be carried to a job.
Now, the object of this invention is to form the connection between the bit and
shank in such manner that, while the bit can be readily fixed rigidly to the shank,
its position in relation thereto may be altered as desired, that is to say, it may be
fixed straight with the axis of the shank or at different angles therewith as
required.
The above object is effected, according to this invention, by pivoting the bit
within a jaw which is screwed upon the shank. The inner end of the bit is formed
with flats or of a semi-circular shape, and is held rigidly in the desired position in
relation to the shank by screwing the end of the shank tightly up against it. It is
preferred to form the end of the shank slightly pointed, and to form conical holes
in the flats or curved surface of the inner end of the bit into which the pointed end
of the shank is screwed.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, we will now proceed to
describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by
way of example, two practical applications thereof.
Figure 1 represents, in plan, a soldering iron of which the bit is formed with a
semi-octagonal hinder end;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the bit and jaw taken on line x x of
Figure 1, but shews the shank and handle in side elevation; and
Figure 3 is a corresponding view to Figure 2, but shews the bit to be formed
with a semi-circular hinder end.
Referring first to Figures 1 and 2-the bit A is pivoted at a between the sides bb
of a jaw B. The hinder end of the bit is formed with three flats c c¹ c², each being
one side of an octagon. The shank C is screwed through the jaw, as shewn, and
its inner end may thus be tightened up against the bit A to fix it rigidly and
prevent it turning upon the pivot pin a. The bit may either be straight with the
handle, as shewn by full lines, and be fixed rigidly in such position by screwing the
shank C against the flat c'; or it may be turned down at an angle of forty-five degrees
with the axis of the shank, as shewn by broken lines Figure 2, and be fixed rigidly
in such position by screwing the end of the shank up against the flat c; or it may
be turned down at right angles with the axis of the shank, as shewn also by broken
lines Figure 2, and be fixed rigidly in such position by screwing the end of the
shank against the side d; and the bit may be correspondingly turned upwards, and
be rigidly fixed in position. It is preferred, however, to form the end of the shank
as a short point, as shewn, and to form a shallow conical hole in the centre of each
Hat ccc and in the upper and lower side of the bit opposite the centre of the
pivot pin, to receive the pointed end of the shank when the shank is screwed up.

page_text: The modification illustrated by Figure 3 differs from that described with reference
to Figures 1 and 2, by the hinder end of the bit being formed semi-circular, as
shewn. The end of the shank C may be screwed up against the rounded end of
the bit to fix it rigidly within the jaw; but in this case, also, it is preferred to form
the end of the shank as a short point and to form shallow couical holes in the bit
to receive such point when the shank is screwed up.
The main feature of the invention is the pivotally connecting the bit with the
shank, and combining therewith means by which the bit may be fixed in different
positions in relation thereto. The fixing the bit by screwing the end of the shank
thereagainst is the method we prefer to adopt, but it will be obvious that other
means for such purpose may be employed, such for instance as screwing a set-pin
sideways through one of the sides of the jaw and against the side of the bit.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A soldering iron having the bit pivotally connected with the shank, and
capable of being fixed in different positions in relation thereto, substantially as
described.
2. A. soldering iron having the bit pivotally connected with the shank, and
capable of being fixed in different positions in relation thereto by means of a
part which is screwed up tightly against the bit, substantially as described.
3. A soldering iron having the bit pivotally connected with the shank through
the medium of a part which is screwed upon the shank, said bit being capable of
being fixed in different positions in relation to the shank by screwing the end of
the shank thereagainst, substantially as described and shewn (according to two
modifications, by way of example) by the drawings herewith.
Dated this 9th day of April 1894.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.