AN IMPROVED CORKSCREW
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Edwards Wilson, of Lavender Hill, in the County
of Surrey, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED CORKSCREW."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Edwards Wilson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd March 1877.
JAMES EDWARDS WILSON, of Lavender Hill, in the County of Surrey.
IMPROVED CORKSCREW."
"AN
My Invention relates to an improvement in corkscrews or cork extractors,
whereby a gentle turning action is applied to the cork instead of the usual upward
pull. I
I propose to obtain this action by making the corkscrew with two or more
screw-spikes, worms, or spirals, and without the ordinary central worm or screw, or
by using one or more screw spikes in conjunction with the ordinary screw.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Sheet of Drawing represents a corkscrew embody-
ing my Invention fitted with a double screw spike or worm and without the
ordinary central worm; A, handle; B, B¹, my double screw-spikes or worms.
The screw spikes B, B¹, (Figure 1) may be shorter or longer, according to the
kind of corks to be drawn, about two-thirds of the length of the cork being sufficient
in any case, and in order to draw a cork it is simply necessary to insert the ends of
B, B', into the cork and keep turning the handle until the cork comes out of the
bottle.
Figure 2 represents a corkscrew with ordinary central worm or screw, and a
single screw-spike also embodying my Invention. A, handle; B, ordinary central
worm or screw; C, my screw-spike. When the worm B is screwed home into the
cork the spike C becomes also screwed home, and thereby for turning the cork gives
a purchase equal to the ratio of the length of the handle of the corkscrew to the
diameter of the cork, and by continuing to turn the handle the cork is extracted.
propose to place the screw spikes at about one-quarter of the diameter of a cork
from the centre of the worm of the corkscrew, following the same angle or pitch as
the latter, and descending to a-depth of about from one-half to three-quarters of the
diameter of a cork.
By the application of my principle of construction, the effort of moving the cork
upwards is reduced by the distance gone through to effect the said upward move-

page_text: ment, the time occupied is however not greater than in the direct pull, and the cork
is extracted with less effort and without any jerk.
As the purchase required for extracting the cork will always be obtained without
piercing the cork from end to end the same cork may again serve to tightly close
the bottle.
I propose to make my improved corkscrew of any suitable material, of any
dimensions, and with any kind of handle.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the. Letters Patent filed by
the said James Edwards Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th
August 1877.
JAMES EDWARDS WILSON, of Lavender Hill, in the County of Surrey.
IMPROVED CORKSCREW."
« AN
My Invention relates to an improvement in corkscrews or cork extractors,
whereby a gentle turning action is applied to the cork instead of the usual upward
pull. I obtain this action by making the corkscrew with two or more screw spikes,
worms, or spirals, and without the ordinary central worm or screw, or by using
one or more screw spikes in conjunction with the ordinary screw.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Sheet of Drawings represents a corkscrew em-
bodying my Invention, fitted with a double screw spike or worm, and without the
ordinary central worm, Figure 2 being a side view of same, and Figure 3 a
modification thereof; A, handle; B, C, my double screw spikes or worms.
The screw spikes B, C, (Figure 1) may be shorter or longer, according to the kind
of corks to be drawn, about two-thirds of the length of the cork being sufficient in
any case; and in order to draw a cork it is simply necessary to insert the ends
B, C, into the cork, and keep turning the handle until the cork comes out of the
bottle.
The ends of points B¹, C³, may be of different length so as to follow each other;
as, for example, at Figure 3, instead of entering the cork simultaneously as at Figs.
1 and 2..
Figure 4 represents a corkscrew with ordinary central worm or screw and a
single screw spike, also embodying my Invention; A, handle; D, ordinary central
worm or screw; E, my screw spike; D¹, point of D.
When the worm D is screwed home into the cork the spike E becomes also
screwed home, and thereby for turning the cork gives a purchase equal to the ratio
of the length of the handle of the corkscrew to the diameter of the cork, and by
continuing to turn the handle the cork is extracted.
I find it preferable to place the screw spikes at about one-quarter of the diameter
of a cork from the centre of the worm of the corkscrew, following the same angle or
pitch as the latter, and descending to a depth of about from one-half to three-
quarters of the diameter of a cork.
By the application of my principle of construction, the effort of moving the cork
upwards is reduced by the distance gone through to effect the said upward move-
ment; the time occupied is however not greater than in the direct pull, and the
cork is extracted with less effort and without any jerk.
The object of the modification, Fig. 3, is that in extracting a very bad cork
which might break when the turning action commences, the prolongation of C
beyond B will hold the lower part so that it will follow the upper half, which in
turning gives to the screw an upward pulling action.
As the purchase required for extracting a good cork may be obtained without
piercing the cork from end to end, the same cork may again serve to tightly close
the bottle.

page_text: I make my improved corkscrew of any suitable material, of any dimensions, and
with any kind of handle.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, I would have it understood that I
do not confine myself to the precise details herein-before set forth and shown
on the Drawing, as such may be varied while retaining the principle of my Inven-
tion, and that I claim as secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent,-
Firstly. In a corkscrew, the combination of two or more worms or spirals, sub-
stantially as herein-before described and illustrated, Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the
accompanying Sheet of Drawing.
Secondly. In a corkscrew, the combination of a spike or spikes with a worm or
spiral, substantially as herein-before described and shown, Figure 4 of the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Edwards Wilson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
JAMES EDWARDS WILSON. (L.S.)