CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN JOINERS' BRACES, AND IN THE MODE OF FORMING OR PARTIALLY FORMING THE VARIOUS BITS TO BE USED WITH SUCH OR ANY OTHER KIND OF BRACE
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Cooper, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Brace and Bit Manufacturer, for the Invention of "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN JOINERS' BRACES, AND IN THE MODE OF FORMING OR
PARTIALLY FORMING THE VARIOUS BITS TO BE USED WITH SUCH OR ANY OTHER
KIND OF BRACE."
Scaled the 4th September 1855, and dated the 7th March 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Cooper at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th
March 1855.
I, JOSEPH COOPER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Brace and
Bit Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my. said Invention for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN JOINERS' BRACES, AND IN THE MODE OF FORMING OB
PARTIALLY FORMING THE VARIOUS BITS TO BE USED WITH SUCH OR ANY OTHER KIND
Oz BRACE," to be as follows (that is to say) :-
My Invention consists, firstly, in the form of the spindle or mount which
unites the head to the stock, and on which the head works. This spindle is
of a parabolic form, curving outwards at the base, for the purpose of giving a
proper bearing to the neck, and equalizing the friction from the pressure and
action on the head while in use.

page_text: Secondly, the use of a screw pin to be placed in the front or side of the
stock, just below the base of the mount or spindle, for the purpose of better
securing the same to the stock.
Thirdly, in the form of the back action plate, which I make of an abrupt
conical form, with one or more holes through it, for the oil way for lubricating
the parts in contact, as well as a square hole in the centre, through which the
under pin or mount passes.
Fourthly, in the application of a lever spring catch to brace pads, for holding
in the bits while in use.
Fifthly, in the mode of holding in the bits by the application of an helical
spring placed on the stop or catch, and which catch is then secured to the pad
by a suitable collar, through which the outer end of the catch passes, and is
actuated by a knob fixed to the outer end.
Sixthly, in the application of an helical spring and tubular plate for forcing
out the bit, when liberated, as before described.
And the last part of my Invention relates to the forming or partially forming
of the bits, and consists in forming the whole or part of such bits by the
aid of a stamp and suitable dies, wether such stamp be worked by steam or
other power.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joseph Cooper in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
6th September 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
COOPER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Brace and Bit Manu-
facturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Joseph Cooper, Her special licence that I, the said Joseph Cooper,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph
Cooper, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,

page_text: within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN JOINERS' BRACES,
AND IN THE MODE OF FORMING OR PARTIALLY FORMING THE VARIOUS BITS TO BE USED
WITH SUCH OR ANY OTHER KIND OF BRACE," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Joseph Cooper, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Cooper, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement (that is to say): :-
Firstly, my improvements consist in the form of the spindle or mount which
unites the head to the stock, and on which the head works. This spindle is of
a parabolic form, curving outward at the base, for the purpose of providing a
sufficient bearing for the neck, and equalizing the friction generated from the
pressure and action on the head while in use.
Secondly, my improvements consist in the use of a screw pin for preventing
the spindle or mount (last described) unscrewing from the head.
Thirdly, my improvements relate to the use and form of a plate for regu-
lating and equalizing the friction in the back action of such braces when in
use; as also in the use of a hole or holes through such plate, by which its
working surfaces and the spindle first described may be lubricated.
Fourthly, my improvements relate to the application of a lever spring catch
to brace pads for holding in the bits while in use, and by which means a
greater amount of leverage is obtained than in the ordinary mode, and at the
same time much easier acted on by the pressure of the thumb or finger.
Fifthly, my improvements consist in the holding in of the bits in brace pads
by the application of an helical spring acting on the catch, and which catch
may be so formed that it may press on either side of the bit, and which bit
may be relieved by pulling out or pressing down the catch.
Sixthly, my improvements consist in the application or use of an helical
spring and tubular plate, for forcing out the bit from the pad when liberated
by the catch, as before described.
And the last part of my improvements relate to the manner in which the
bits that accompany joiners' braces may be formed; and I would observe, that
such bits have heretofore been made by the process as understood by the term

page_text: forging. Steel or iron, or part steel and part iron, of which they may be formed,
has been taken in rods of the required size, and, after heating in the fire to
the required heat, has been beaten or hammered into the required form by a
hand hammer and anvil, aided in some instances (according to the shape of
bit required) by the use of swages, the quality and expedition of this process
depending much on the skill of the forger; but as this process is tedious and
uncertain, I propose to make them with the aid of suitable dies and a hammer,
which hammer may be worked after the manner of the common hand stamp,
or by steam or other power having the requisite means of regulating the
strength of blow; that is to say, I sink the form of the bit required in a
suitable piece of steel, and properly adjust it underneath the stamp hammer,
and next taking the steel or steel and iron properly welded together (of which
the bit is intended to be formed), and having heated it to a proper heat, I
place it on the die (before described), and immediately cause the hammer of
the stamp to descend, giving the heated iron a sufficient blow to beat it into
the form as sunk in the die, and which blow may be repeated as often as
desired; or the iron may be again heated, and the blow or blows repeated;
and in some instances I prefer having the form of the bit or bits partly sunk
in the bottom die, and part in a moveable top die, or on the face or under side
of the stamp hammer, so that when the hot iron (of which the bit is intended
to be formed) is placed on the bottom die, and struck by the hammer, it will
be partly imbedded in the bottom die, and the other part in the die or cavity
sunk in the face of the hammer; if sunk in the face of the hammer, such
hammer must be changed with its corresponding die with each fresh description
of bit I may wish to make, and which usually number (as a set) thirty-two, and
known as centre bits, nipple bits, spoon bits, &c., all of which at that part that
fits into the brace pad must be of an exact shape and size, a requirement
insured by this process with great accuracy; and this my improved mode of
giving form to bits may be only applicable to the portion last described, but
certainly in many of the bits the general form required, when finished, may
be given, the finishing process being that of grinding and polishing, as at
present in use.
And in order that my several improvements may be fully understood and
readily carried into effect I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto
annexed, in the various Figures of which the same letters are used to indicate
the same parts.

page_text: various improvements, the head being shewn partly in section, for the better
exhibiting its mode of construction. A is the pin or mount on which the head
works, secured to the wood or stock by the screw b, b, and further secured by the
screw pin C, working through the brass plate or collar d, through the wood,
and into a small hole drilled in the screw b, b, which prevents its working loose
or unscrewing. The working surfaces of the pin A is curved outward at its
base, which increases or balances the frictional surfaces, at the same time
prevents the head ever working tight in the neck e, e, which may be made of
brass or other suitable metal. f, f, is a back action plate, represented in a
detached top view at Figure 2. This plate fits on the pin A, which is made
square at the top for receiving it, and is then secured by the nut or screw g.
The top part of the neck e, e, extends out, for the purpose of giving a proper
bearing to the head H, which is first united to the neck by being tapped and
screwed, as shewn in section at j, j, and further secured by the screws k, k.
The curve that I have found best suited to the pin A is of the parabolic kind,
on account of its quickening towards the outer base, where the greatest amount
of pressure will be generated. Should it be necessary to lubricate the working
surfaces otherwise than at the base I, I, a hole may be put through the
head, as shewn by the dotted lines m, as also through holes that may be made
through the back action plate, as shewn by the dotted lines n, n. By this
means any oil poured through the hole m, and the brace held in a vertical
position, will find its way to the working surfaces..
Figure 3 represents my improvements in relation to the pad of joiners' braces,
and consist in the use of the spring o, placed beneath the lever of the catch,
which works on the fulcrum p, the outline of the pad end and part of the bit
being shewn in dotted lines.
Figure 4 represents in a longitudinal section my improvements in brace pads,
as described under the fifth head of this my Specification, as exhibited at
Figure 1. The manner in which the catch q is made to press on and retain
the bit R is by means of the helical spring S pressing against the top part of
the neck t, t, and against the lower part of the catch q, thus tending to keep it
in the position shewn, to relieve which the head u has to be pulled up, which
will now bring into action the improvement named under the sixth head of this
my Specification. I refer to the helical spring v, v, and tubular plate W, W. The

page_text: moment the catch 9 is pulled up by the head u, the bit R will be thrown out.
This pad is secured to the stock by the screwz, 2, in the usual way, and requiring
less wood to be cut away than is generally the case by the old plan, when a
flat spring is attached to regulate the catch, and the action (while it is more
secure from its direct pressure) is less difficult to relieve than the catch in
ordinary use.
Figure 5 represents the same catch and pad in a transverse section, taken
through y, y, Figure 1, the wedge being simply pushed in to lift the catch
out of the socket where the bits are placed, as represented by the square
hole X.
Figure 6 represents a somewhat similar catch, but with a reverse action,--
its being relieved by pressure instead of pulling, as exhibited at Figure 7, which
is a transverse section of the last Figure taken through a', a', when the catch
is pressed down by a thumb compressing the helical spring, and of course
fully exhibiting the hole X, for receiving the bit, the spring being retained in
the box b', 6', and covered over by the screw cap c¹, c', which screw cap I have
exhibited in a distinct Figure at C, Figure 8.
1
Having thus described the nature of my various improvements, and the
manner in which the same may be carried into effect, I wish it understood
that I do not confine myself to the exact shape and detail as herein described;
but what I do claim as my Invention is,-
First, the curved pin and corresponding neck on which the head works, as
exhibited at A, Figure 1, without confining myself to the exact curve as
therein exhibited.
Secondly, in the use of a back action plate, without confining myself to the
curved bearing surface exhibited, as it may be conical or otherwise.
Thirdly, I claim the manner of uniting the head H to the neck c, e, as
exhibited in the Drawing, without regard to any external form.
Fourthly, I claim the use of a screw pin, as exhibited at C, Figure 1, without
confining myself to the exact position as shewn, as it would effect the same
object if placed on the side of the brace, forming also a screw for holding or
securing the side plate or plates.
Fifthly, I claim the use of the spring lever catch, as exhibited at Figure 3.
Sixthly, I claim the application of an helical spring for holding in the bits,
as exhibited at Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 in the Drawing, without any regard to
the exact form and detail of the several parts as there shewn.
Seventhly, I claim the tubular plate in connection with the helical spring,
as exhibited at Figures 4 and 6, for throwing out the bit from the pad when

page_text: relieved by the catch, without any regard to any particular description of
catch.
Lastly, I claim the manner of forming the various bits usually used with
carpenters' braces, as before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Cooper, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Witness,
J. S. COCKINGS,
Patent Agent,
Birmingham.
JOSEPH COOPER. (L.S.)