IMPROVEMENTS IN CORKSCREWS
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Astley Whelan
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th June 1881.
FREDERICK ASTLEY WHELAN, of 24, Gilbert Street, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CORKSCREWS."
The object of this Invention is an arrangement for the withdrawal of corks from
bottles, either by means of the grip or grasp of the hand only, or the grip and pull
combined.
On either side of the ring or collar which bears upon the mouth of the bottle
I place upright guides, attached to the upper ends of which is a crossbar or handlo
upon which the palm of the hand rests.
Sliding on these upright guides is a cross bar or handle to which the screw is
attached.
When the screw is screwed down into the cork, the lower crossbar or handle is
grasped by the fingers, whilst the palm of the hand rests upon the upper handle aş
a fulcrum, and on grasping firmly the lower crossbar it slides upon the guides
carrying the cork with it.
In a modified form of this Invention I prefer to form the cap which fits over the
neck of the bottle and the vertical guides or rods in one piece, and secure their
tops by screws or an equivalent device to a wooden or other suitable handle of
convenient shape, and which may if desired have the usual brush at one end.
A suitable block (to which is attached the screw) and handle work between the
guides in a similar manner to that previously described, and the action is also
similar.
The power being applied in a direct line with the longer axis of the bottle, the
danger of breaking the neck of the bottle is almost entirely obviated, and the cork
may be withdrawn from the bottle whilst standing on the table without shaking
the contents by the grip only, or, if used in the ordinary position, by the grip and
pull combined, as desired. I do not of course tic myself to the precise details
given above, as I have merely described the method by which my Invention may
be carried into practise.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frederick Astley Whelan in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 16th December 1881.
FREDERICK ASTLEY WHELAN, of 24, Gilbert Street, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CORKSCREWS."
The object of this Invention is arrangement for the withdrawal of corks from
bottles, either by means of the grip or grasp of the hand only, or by the grip and
pull combined.
On either side of the ring or collar which bears upon the mouth of the bottle
I place upright guides, attached to the upper ends of which is a crossbar or handle
upon which the palm of the hand rests.
Sliding on these upright guides is a crossbar or handle to which the screw is
attached.
When the screw is screwed down into the cork, the lower cross-bar or handle is
grasped by the fingers, whilst the palm of the hand rests upon the upper handle as
a fulcruin, and on grasping firmly the lower crossbar it slides upon the guides
carrying the cork with it.
In a modified form of this Invention I prefer to form the cap which fits over the
neck of the bottle and the vertical guides or rods in one piece, and secure their
tops by screws or an equivalent device to a wooden or other suitable handle of
convenient shape, and which may if desired have the usual brush at one end.
A suitable block (to which is attached the screw) and handle work between the
guides in a similar manner to that previously described, and the action is also
similar.
The power being applied in a direct line with the longer axis of the bottle,
the danger of breaking the neck of the bottle is almost entirely obviated, and
the cork may be withdrawn from the bottle while standing on the table without
shaking the contents by the grip only, or, if used in the ordinary position, by
the grip and pull combined, as desired. I do not of course tie myself to the
precise details given above, as I have merely described how my Invention may be
carried into prection

page_text: pull, as it shakes the contents of the bottle much less, and is altogether a neater
and handier operation; Figures 3 to 6 are supposed to have wooden or similar
handles. In Figures 5 and 6 the cross-bar ends C¹ are arranged to fold down so as
to be out of the way when not wanted for use, as indicated by the dotted lines in
Figure 6; suitable springs, such, for instance, as those used in an ordinary pocket
knife, are useful to keep the arms in the required positions, and short pins or
projections F, Figures 5 and 6, may be used to keep the screw E in position while
screwing into the cork; suitable stops and catches may also when desired be used
with the other forms shown in the other figures.
F. A. WHELAN. (L.S.)

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Astley Whelan
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th June 1881.
FREDERICK ASTLEY WHELAN, of 24, Gilbert Street, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CORKSCREWS.".
The object of this Invention is an arrangement for the withdrawal of corks from
bottles, either by means of the grip or grasp of the hand only, or the grip and pull
combined.
On either side of the ring or collar which bears upon the mouth of the bottle
I place upright guides, attached to the upper ends of which is a crossbar or handle
upon which the palm of the hand rests.
Sliding on these upright guides is a cross bar or handle to which the screw is
attached.
When the screw is screwed down into the cork, the lower crossbar or handle is
grasped by the fingers, whilst the palm of the hand rests upon the upper handle as
a fulcrum, and on grasping firmly the lower crossbar it slides upon the guides
carrying the cork with it.
In a modified form of this Invention I prefer to form the cap which fits over the
neck of the bottle and the vertical guides or rods in one piece, and secure their
tops by screws or an equivalent device to a wooden or other suitable handle of
convenient shape, and which may if desired have the usual brush at one end.
A suitable block (to which is attached the screw) and handle work between the
guides in a similar manner to that previously described, and the action is also
similar.
The power being applied in a direct line with the longer axis of the bottle, the
danger of breaking the neck of the bottle is almost entirely obviated, and the cork
may be withdrawn from the bottle whilst standing on the table without shaking
the contents by the grip only, or, if used in the ordinary position, by the grip and
pull combined, as desired. I do not of course tic myself to the precise details
given above, as I havo merely described the method by which my Invention may
be carried into practise.

page_text: pull, as it shakes the contents of the bottle much less, and is altogether a neater
and handier operation; Figures 3 to 6 are supposed to have wooden or similar
handles. In Figures 5 and 6 the cross-bar ends C¹ are arranged to fold down so as
to be out of the way when not wanted for use, as indicated by the dotted lines in
Figure 6; suitable springs, such, for instance, as those used in an ordinary pocket
knife, are useful to keep the arma in the required positions, and short pins or
projections F, Figures 5 and 6, may be used to keep the screw E in position while
Ecrewing into the cork; suitable stops and catches may also when desired be used
with the other forms shown in the other figures.
Having now described my Invention, and the method of performing the same,
I wish it to be understood that what I claim and desire to protect under the
herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,—
First. The combination with the collar A, guide rods B, and handle D of the
cliding block and cross-bar C and C', or their mechanical equivalents, whereby the
direct grip or muscular contracting power of the hand itself can be utilized for
drawing the cork, by causing the said sliding block and handle to approach each
other, substantially as set forth and shown.
Second. The construction of corkscrews, substantially as herein described and
illustrated, whereby the power may be obtained by means of the grip of the hand
combined with the pull of the arm.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Astley Whelan, have hereunto set
my hand and scal, this Twelfth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred eighty one.
•
F. A. WHELAN. (L.S.)