Improvements in Nails.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 8th Dec., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Nails.
-I; ADOLF ERDMANN, of No. 40, Kottbuser Ufer, Berlin, in the German
Empire, Merchant, 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 :-
The subject of this invention is an improved nail, which, instead of the ordinary
point, has guiding points between which there is provided a cutting edge or blade
adapted to cut the particular species of wood or timber into which the nail is
to be driven. By such a construction of the nail, the following results are attained:
1. The nail may be driven home in the desired direction without deviating or
being deflected therefrom by the hard knots and rings of the wood, as now very
frequently happens, with the result that the nail is bent and emerges on one side,
in which position-in connection with packing cases, for example-it is apt to
injure the persons employed in making, closing or otherwise handling, or making
use of, such cases.
2. The wood is prevented from cracking or splitting, owing to the fact that the
fibres are not forced out of the way or displaced sideways by the nail penetrating
the wood-as is the case where the nails employed are constructed as has been usual
hitherto; but that, by reason of the peculiar shape of the point of the nail, the
wood fibres are turned down, without any damage to the wood.
The varied forms which the improved nail-point is capable of assuming enables
differently constructed nails to be employed for suiting each class of wood or
timber; and the employment of such nails will be found particularly advantageous
in the case of hard or very brittle wood; so that, upon the whole, the improved
nails supply a long-felt want.
In the accompanying drawings, the Figs. 1-6 represent various forms of nails
constructed in accordance with this invention,
Fig. 1 showing an improved nail having guiding points a, connected by recti-
linear cutting edge or blade, the length of which is greater than the diameter of the
shank or body of the nail.
The novel effect produced by such a construction lies in the fact that the said
blade is adapted to cut a greater width or a thicker layer of wood fibre, than that
which would correspond to the width of the shank of the nail in entering the wood.
Owing to this circumstance the wood fibres are compressed in the direction of
motion of the nail, and any tendency of the latter to force apart the fibres sideways,
and thereby to cause the wood to crack, is obviated.
The better guiding effect due to the points, and to the comparatively wide cutting
blade, is produced in the following manner :-
The points first delineate the course to be taken by the-shank of the nail; such
hard wood fibres as would be deflected in the case of a nail provided with an
ordinary point, are, according to this invention, cut through for a sufficient distance
or width to render them incapable of opposing the entrance of the nail; the
consequence being that the nail can only enter the wood exactly in the same direction
in which it is set before being driven into the wood.
A further result obtained, owing to the two features above-named, as being
characteristic of the improved nail, is that a nail thus constructed, when driven in,
far more securely retains its place in the wood than any nail provided with a point
of the ordinary shape.
Whereas aŭ ordinary nail,—which, by reason of the shape of its point, drives

page_text: apart adjacent wood fibres,-consequently produces small cracks as it is driven in,
throughout the whole of its inward course, so that only a portion of its surface
touches the wood fibre; the improved nail which enables even the slightest cracks
in the wood to be avoided, is surrounded, throughout the length of its shank, by a
fresh layer of wood, the normal compactness of whose texture has not yet been
disturbed. By such means, the friction between the wood and nail shank, and
consequently also, the firmness of the position of the nail in the wood, are
increased.
Fig. 2. shows a nail with guiding points a connected by a crescent-shaped blade
or cutter.
Fig. 3. shows a nail with guiding points a connected by a crescent-shaped off-set
blade or cutting edge; and
Fig. 4. represents a nail having guiding points a connected by an acute-angled
blade with prismatic sides.
The nails represented in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 differ in their action from the first
described form of nail, in this particular, that they gather up and collect, as it
were, the wood fibres with their two guide pins or points, and compress them towards
the centre, where the said fibres are cut; and also in the fact that they possess the
properties above referred to in a still greater degree than the first construction,
inasmuch as any lateral displacement of the wood fibres is once and for all avoided
in employing them.
Nails constructed in this manner are mainly intended for use in those cases where
the wood into which nails are to be driven, has exceptionally hard knots, and a
very soft layer of cambium.
Fig. 5. shows a nail with four guiding points a, and cutting blades arranged in
cross-shaped or star-shaped series, the object of this construction being to cut the
wood fibres even where the nail, before being driven in is not set at right angles to
the fibres. (The central figure shows the point on an enlarged scale.)
All these forms of nails may, as shown in Fig. 6, be fitted with retaining hooks,
parallel to the junction line of the points.
The arrangement of the hooks, especially in nails of this type, form a perfect
substitute for a screw in all those cases where screws have hitherto been preferred,
on account of their greater firmness of hold or grip, and because of the facility
with which they may be removed, and re-inserted if required.
Owing to the arrangement of the retaining hooks in nails of this construction,
an indissoluble connection of the nail with the wood may be obtained as the wood
fibres, being cut through in the direction in which the nail is driven in, and bent
down, become imbedded direct in the said hooks, thereby making the removal of
the nail impossible.
Where it is desired to drive in a nail of the shape described above, it is first set
against the wood, which it is to enter, at right angles to the direction of the fibres,
whereupon it may be driven in like an ordinary nail. Owing to the guiding action
of the points or pins, the nail is compelled to penetrate the wood in the desired
direction, the fibres being cut and then turned down in the direction of motion of
the nail, whereby the cracking or bursting of the wood is obviated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Nails, in which the usual single point is replaced by several guide pins or points
connected with each other, for the purpose of preventing the nail from deviating
from the direction in which it is driven in, and of causing it, not to force the
fibres of the wood out of the way laterally but to turn them down in the direction
of motion of the nail, so as thereby to avoid any cracking or splitting of the wood.
2. Nails, such as referred to in the first claim, modified as follows:-
(a) Having guide pins such as a, and a cutting edge or blade made wider than
the diameter of the shank of the nail;

page_text: (b) Having guide pins, such as a, with a crescent-shaped blade connecting the
said guide pins;
(c) Having guide pins, such as a, and a crescent-shaped off-set blade connecting
the said guide pins ;
(d) Having guide pins, such as a, and a blade having prismatic faces on each
side;
(e) Having a number of guide pins, such as a, and a cross- or star-shaped
blade.
3. In nails, as claimed in the first and second claims, the provision of retaining
ooks on the shank of the nail corresponding with the line of junction of the guide
oins, for the purpose of rendering impossible the removal of any nail after it has
once been driven into the material.
All substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 30th day of June 1894.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.