IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEEP-SHEARS
Year: 1884

page_text: We, SAMUEL DIHEL PAXTON, DAVID ELIHU PAXTON, and AMOS MAHURIN, of
Ukiah, County of Mendocino, and State of California, one of the United States
of America, Gentlemen, do hereby declare the nature of our Invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEEP-SHEARS, 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 the class of sheep-shears, in which the blades are held
apart under the influence of a spring, against which the pressure of the hand is
exerted to close them.
Our Invention consists in a novel hinge connection between the shanks of the
blades, in a peculiar spring, under the influence of which the blades are opened, in
a stop or catch which limits their separation when operating, and in removable
blades secured to the shanks, whereby they may readily be detached in case of an
accident or fault in either, requiring the substitution of another.
The object of our Invention is to provide shears which on account of their
formation will be superior to those now in use, in durability, and ease of operation,
closing with less force and reacting quicker, firm in handling, and precise and
strong in use, and easily repaired and kept in order.
Referring to the accompanying Drawings,
Figure 1 is à perspective view of our shears.
Figure 2 is a detail, showing the connection between shank and blade.
Figure 3 is a detail, showing frames C and stops F.
A are the blades, and B the shanks, the rear ends of which are curved and have
secured to them three-sided bases C, one for each shank. These bases when fitted
together, receive a pin or bolt D through their ends, which forms a hinge between
them, upon which the shears operate.
The two bases thus united inclose a rectangular space, which the helical or spiral
spring E occupies, the hinge-pin D passing through its center.
One end of the spring is bent upward and rests upon a corner of one of the
bases C, and the other end of the spring is similarly disposed of upon a corner of
the other base, diagonally opposite the first corner. The tension of the spring
through its ends is to bear down upon the bases upon which they rest, thus
separating the shanks and keeping the blades normally open.
By the use of this form of spring, we obtain greater durability and an easier
action than in the common form of spring for shears. At the same time that its
flexibility is such as to permit its casy compression, its reaction is certain and
rapid.

page_text: The hinge connection between the bases of the shank, insures firmness and
precision in the action of the blades, preventing "bucking" or giving to one side
when coming in contact with a hard substance. In order to permit the blades to
open sufficiently for the purpose of sharpening them, and not too far, we have
a lug or stop F, projecting from an opposite end of one side of each base, and
adapted when the spring forces the bases open to come in contact with the opposing
side of the other base, thus limiting their movement at a point which allows the
blades to become separated far enough for convenient grinding, or other sharpening.
But when the shears are in actual use, we find it advantageous to allow the
separation of the blades only to an extent to enable them to cut, thus saving
exertion of the hand. To do this we have secured to the inner side of one shank
near its butt, a curved strip or spring G, the end of which plays back and forth in
the curved butt of the other shank, when the shears are in use, and is adapted
upon the separation of the blades to come in contact with a small stop H secured
to the inner surface of the opposing shank, whereby the blades are limited in their
separation as described.
When the greater limit of the stops F is required, the spring strip G is easily
released from the stop H. The blades A are formed separable or independent of
the shanks, and are secured thereto by means of screws I passing through an
extension or lip J of the shanks into the blades.
These lips lic upon the blades in proper seats or sockets j, formed therein,
whereby they are inclosed, and lie flush, making a neat and secure joint. The
advantage of the removable blades is in the ready adaptability to the substitution
of a fresh one when through accident one should become unserviceable, or contain
a serious fault.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is,
1. Sheep-shears, the blade shanks of which have wide bases as described, with
a pivot or hinge-bolt between them, and a helical spring around the hinge-bolt
under the influence of which the blades are separated, substantially as herein
described.
2. Sheep-shears, the blade shanks of which have wide bases as described, with
a pivot or hinge-bolt between them, a helical spring around the hinge-bolt under
the influence of which the blades are separated, and suitable stops or lugs on the
bases of the blade shanks, by which the separation of the blades is limited,
substantially as herein described.
3. Sheep-shears having blade shanks with curved butts, and bases hinged
together by a bolt as described, a helical spring to force the blades apart, a curved
strip on one shank and a stop or catch on the other, with which the curved strip
engages to limit the separation of the blades, substantially as herein described.
4. Sheep-shears, the blades of which are readily adjustable to or detachable from
their shanks by means of projecting lips on the one, corresponding sockets in the
other, and connecting screws, substantially as herein described.
Dated this Oth dox of duct 700.1.
SAMUEL DIHEL PAXTON.
DAVID ELIHU PAXTON.
AMOS MAHURIN.