Improvements in Handles, applicable for Shovels and other purposes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 3rd Apr., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Handles, applicable for Shovels and other
purposes.
I, WILLIAM HOLMAN JOHNSON, of Newlin Street, Veedersburg in the County of
Fountain, State of Indiana, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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:
My invention relates to improvements in handles and has particular relation to
shovel handles.
It consists of the combination of a shank, handle picces on each side thereof, means
connecting said handle pieces and said shank and bracing the same laterally, and a
grip piece between the outer free ends of said handle pieces.
It also consists of the combination of a shank having a slotted upper end, handle
pieces on each side of the same and having slotted ends, a brace projecting through
the slot in the shank and the slots in the handle pieces, and a grip piece between the
outer free ends of said handle pieces.
It also consists of certain other novel constructions, combinations and arrangements
of parts all of which will be hereinafter more particularly set forth and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1. represents a detail side elevation of a handle embodying my device.
Fig. 2. represents a central vertical section through the same..
Fig. 3. represents a horizontal section of said device over the line - of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4. represents a top plan view of said handle, and
Fig. 5. represents a central vertical section through a modified form of my handle.
A in the drawings represents the shank: B the handle pieces: C the grip; D the
bracing plate, and E the bracing pins.
The shank A instead of being enlarged at its upper end to form the body portion
of the handle is made approximately rectangular of about the same diameter as the
ordinary rounded portion and is provided at its upper end with a vertical central
slot a which extends from the top downward. The handle pieces B are also each
provided with vertical central slots b extending from the bottom upward. These slots
when the said handle pieces are placed against the shank correspond in position with
the slot in the shank so that the plate D can be slipped into said grooves and riveted
into position by rivets d which pass laterally through the shank plate and handle
pieces respectively.
This plate D is preferably made of steel but can be made of wood or any other
stiffening and strengthening material. The inner sides of the free ends of the handle
pieces are rounded laterally as shown at 6' Fig. 4 and made slightly concave vertically
as shown at 62 Fig. 2.
The hand grip C is approximately cylindrical but tapers slightly toward each end;
said ends being grooved vertically as shown at e Fig. 4, and said grooves having
slightly convex bottoms as shown at c¹ Fig. 2. The grooves c are adapted to fit about
the rounded portions b¹ and the convex portions c' into the concave portions 62
and the whole bound together by a bolt or rivet c' which passes longitudinally through
said grip. Any tendency of the grip to turn simply results in the tightening of the
parts as such an action forces the handle pieces apart against the restraint of the bolt
or rivet c².

page_text: As shown in Fig. 5 I have dispensed with the plate D and grooves a b and have
bound the side pieces and the shank together by lateral bolts, rivets or braces E.
These are preferably made of steel but may be made of any other suitable material.
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. In a handle the combination of a shank, handle pieces attached thereto, and a
hand grip having grooved ends and so mounted between the free ends of the said
handle pieces as to wedge and tighten upon the same upon being turned one way or
the other out of its normal position, substantially as described.
2. In a handle, the combination of a shank having an open slot formed in its upper
end, handle pieces on each side of the same and having open slots formed in their
lower ends, a brace plate projecting through the slot in the shank and the slots in the
handle pieces, and a grip piece between the outer ends of said handle pieces,
substantially as described.
3. In a handle the combination with a shank of handle pieces attached thereto and
having the inner faces of their upper free ends curved laterally and concaved
vertically, and a hand grip having its ends cut to fit said curved and concaved portions
of the handle pieces and secured to the same by a bolt or rivet, substantially as
described.
Dated this 11th day of January 1807
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.