Improvements in Handles for Bits.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Jan., 1897--Accepted, 20th Feb., 1897
Improvements in Handles for Bits.
1, ABRAHAM VAN LENTEN, of 152 Warren Street, Paterson, in the County
of Passaic, and State of New Jersey, in the United States of America, Carpenter
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:-
This invention relates to an improvement in handles for bits; the object thereof
being to provide an article of this character adaptable for taking the place of the.
common brace and for working in corners or other places where it is impossible to
revolve an ordinary brace. The device is durable, simple in construction and
inexpensive, and it is so constructed as to provide a maximum amount of leverage
during the operation of revolving the bit.
The invention will be hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the
annexed claims.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved handle having a portion thereof broken
away
in section.
Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; and
Figs. 3 and 4 are plan views of the operative mechanism forming part of my
handle.
In the practice of my invention, I provide primarily, a handle A of wood or
other suitable material. This said handle comprises a central longitudinal portion a,
a fixed handle extension a¹ and a removable handle extension a², this said handle a
being provided upon its inner end with a threaded portion a³ which engages with a
threaded socket in the body of the handle A. This said body is provided with
an extension A' which engages with a suitable clamp B. This said clamp may be
of any desired construction and it is provided with a socket b for receiving the
squared head of a bit.
Projected upwardly from the clamp B is a spindle B', which said spindle has
secured to its upper end a toothed wheel C, which said wheel revolves within a
recess A Also mounted within this recess are two pawls D and D', which two
said pawls are held within the recess by means of pins d and d. These two said
pawls are normally arranged parallel to each other and they engage with teeth of
the wheel C. To maintain them in parallel alignment, a spiral spring E connects
their two outer ends. This said spring engages with projectious e and e¹ of the
pawls D and D', whereby the outer ends of the pawls are forced apart and the
inner ends forced toward each other; and to maintain them in parallel alignment
with each other; a stop F. is secured within the recess A³. In operating the
device, these two said pawls are adapted to engage alternately with the toothed
wheel C for revolving the tool respectively in a right and left hand direction.
As a means for throwing the pawls out of engagement with the wheel C,
I provide a swinging fork G, which said fork engages with a pin g, and it is
maintained in a normal forward direction by means of a spiral spring H, the ends of
which said spring bear respectively upon the pin g and the bead G' of the fork,
the spring being located between the two prongs thereof.
Projected upwardly from the head of the fork is a handle g¹ for operating the
same. This said handle engages with a slot A³ of the body portion A of the main

page_text: handle of the device. This said slot has three semi-circular recesses 1, 2, and 3 in
the inner wall thereof, adapted for engagement with the handle g¹.
In the operation of the device, a bit being attached to the clamp B, an operator
can revolve the same in one direction or in alternate right and left directions when
the fork G is set in the position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing. When
said fork is set in the position illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing, rotary motion
applied to the handle in the direction of the arrow 4 will not revolve the bit, but
rotary motion applied in the direction of the arrow 5 will communicate motion to
the bit through the medium of the pawl D which acts upon the wheel C. This
operation is reversed when the pawl D₁ is brought into engagement with the
wheel C, whereby an operator can apply continuous rotary motion to the bit
without the necessity of completely revolving the handle.
When it is desired to work in close quarters, for instance, near a wall, the
handle a can be detached and an operator can revolve the bit by using the
handle a¹ only.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A bit handle, comprising a central ·longitudinal portion, a rigidly connected
handle portion and a removable handle portion and a depending clamp having a
spindle connected thereto which engages with a toothed wheel secured within a
recess of the body of the handle, spring pressed pawls pivoted for engagement with
the said wheel, and means for disconnecting the pawls from the wheel, said means
consisting of a spring pressed pivoted fork between said pawls, provided with a
handle extended through a slot in said handle adapted to move said pawls into and
out of engagement, substantially as shown and described.
2. In a handle for bits, consisting of a handle having a longitudinal recess
therein, a rigid and a detachable portion at the ends thereof and toothed wheel
within said recess having a clamp attached thereto; two spring pressed pivoted
pawls for engagement with the said toothed. wheel, a spring pressed fork pivoted
between said pawls, adapted to move said pawls into and out of engagement
with said wheel, a spring located between the prongs thereof and bearing upon the
pin upon which said fork is pivoted, whereby longitudinal movement of the fork is
permitted, said fork having a handle projected upwardly therefrom engaging with
a slot formed in the upper part of the main body of the handle, said slot having
recesses therein, whereby the fork may be set and retained in different positions,
substantially as shown and described.
3. As a handle for bits, the combination of a longitudinal body having a handle
projected from one end thereof, and a removable handle projected from the other
end, a toothed wheel and double spring pressed pawls which are located within a
longitudinal recess of the said body, means for operating said pawls, and a clamp
which is connected to the said toothed wheel, extending below said handle, sub-
stantially as shown and described.
Dated this 7th day of January 1897.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.