Improved Spades and similar Tools.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 30th Nov., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Spades and similar Tools.
We, ALBERT PETER CARL ABRAHAMS, of Copenhagen, Barrister, and FREDERIK
JOHANNES HENRIK SEVERIN ABRAHAMS, of Aarhus, First Lieutenant, both in the
Kingdom of Denmark, 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 :----
Our invention relates to spades and similar digging-tools, and consists in making.
the shaft detachable from the blade, both being provided with suitable devices adapted
to hold them firmly together in the usual working position. A spade made according
to our invention is much more easily carried than one of the usual make; and, as its
utility is not interfered with by its being in two pieces, it is well adapted for use in
military operations, as well as by emigrants, surveyors, and others.
In order that our invention, and the means by which the same is to be carried
into practical effect, may be thoroughly understood; we will now proceed to describe
the same in detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying drawings, which are to
be taken as part of this specification and read therewith.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation on a larger scale.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the top of the blade and its spring straps.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation corresponding therewith.
Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the lower part of the shaft.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation corresponding therewith.
a is the blade, of any suitable shape. Instead of the usual pair of straps welded
to the blade, we provide four spring straps c', c', ³, c³. The first is the front; and
the latter, the back strap, the two others are the side straps. These four straps are
made after the manner of blade springs, and are all adapted to spring outwards from
the shaft when they are not held in close contact with it. The front strap is in one
piece with the front of the blade, the back strap being connected to the back, either
of the socket or of the blade, in any convenient way. The side straps c³ are extensions,
respectively, of the treads m, m.
ỗ is a ring adapted, by embracing the straps just above the treads, to hold them
together.
The lower portion of the shaft d is preferably square in cross section, and plated
with metal fixed thereto in any suitable way. is a second ring adapted to slide
up and down the spring straps. j is a spring springing out from the front strap.
kare a pair of enlargements, the former a push piece; and the latter a stop and
incline, upon the spring, leaving a space between them sufficiently large to form a
seat for the locking ring h. 9, 9 are snugs upon the side- and back-strap ends, and
are adapted to engage in cavities n in the respective sides of the plated end of the
shaft.
When the shaft and blade are to be joined so as to produce a practicable tool, the
shaft is pushed between the spring straps, and the ring d pulled upwards. As it
moves upwards, the straps are forced inwards, their snugs engaging in the cavities n.
When the four straps are closed up, they form a square socket exactly the size of the
plated end of the shaft which they grip firmly. The spring j is pushed, by the
passage of the locking ring up the incline k, through a slot in the front strap, into a
groove in the front of the handle; but as soon as the ring has passed k, the
resilience of the spring locks the ring in its seat between k and e, and prevents a
further or a retrograde motion. Pressure upon the push-piece e pushes the spring j
inwards again, so as to free the ring h, and allow it to be pushed down again for the
purpose of disconnecting the spade and shaft.

page_text: 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. The combination of blade, shaft, spring-straps, snugs and locking ring, whereby
a blade separate from the shaft is adapted to be firmly connected thereto, as set forth.
2. The combination of locking ring, spring-strap, spring provided with a pair of
enlargements forming between them a seat for the said ring, and a slot and groove
into which the said spring may be pushed to allow of the motion of the locking ring
in either direction, as set forth.
Dated this 17th day of October 1889
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.