IMPROVEMENTS IN FLOOR CRAMPS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Butler, of 12, Clarence Villa, Binns Road,
Chiswick, in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN FLOOR CRAMPS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Butler at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th February 1881.
GEORGE BUTLER, of 12, Clarence Villa, Binns Road, Chiswick, in the County of
Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN FLOOR CRAMPS."
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The object of this Invention is a novel arrangement of details of floor cramps,
whereby they are rendered self cramping to the joists, and self releasing therefrom
when a lever or a paul is removed by hand or by the foot.
The Invention consists in pivotting to the main strap a fork or double lug from
one end only, that the fork may partake of an eccentric action from the pivot
directly any back action of the main strap commences, such as when pushing a
floor board close into contact with another. The main strap is provided with slots
within which a ratchet or toothed bar forming a cramping bar is free to move in
one direction under the action of hand lever and push paul, a stop paul being also
provided to hold the cramping bar while the hand lever paul is moving back to
engage into a fresh tooth. The stop paul is furnished with a foot plate, that by a
depression compels the stop paul to be released, this being necessary when the
cramping of a floor board has been effected, the slight rebound of the board then
pushing the cramping bar back, and releasing the fork from the joists.
The eccentrically pivotted fork or double lug can be swung to either side of the
main strap, to serve for right or left hand cramping.
The push paul has a finger piece or lip to enable the paul to be raised at other
times if desired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Butler in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th August
1881.
GEORGE BUTLER, of 12, Clarence Villa, Binns Road, Chiswick, in the County of
Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS. IN FLOOR CRAMPS."
The object of this Invention is a novel arrangement of details of floor cramps,
whereby they are rendered self cramping to the joists, and self releasing therefrom
when a lever or a.paul is removed by hand or by the foot.
The Invention which is clearly represented in the annexed Drawings (Figure 1
being a side view of the apparatus), consists in pivotting to the main strap A a fork
or double lug B from one end C, only that the fork B may partake of an eccentric
action from the pivot C directly any back action of the main strap A commences,
such as when pushing a floor board D close into contact with another E. The
main strap A is provided with slots, within which a ratchet or toothed bar F
forming the cramping bar is free to move in one direction under the action of a
hand lever G and push paul H, a stop paul J being provided to hold the cramping
bar F while the hand lever paul H is moving back to engage into a fresh tooth of
the ratchet bar F. The stop paul J is furnished with a foot plate K so that it may
be released when the cramping of a floor board has been effected. A slight rebound
of the board pushing the cramping bar F back, and releasing the bite of the fork
legs B, B, from the joist L.
The eccentrically pivotted fork or double lug B can be swung to either side of
the main strap, to serve for right or left hand cramping, as indicated at Figures 2
and 3 respectively.
The push paul H has a finger piece or lip M, to enable the paul to be raised at
other times if desired.
The back leg N of the main strap has its bottom surface smooth, or it may be
roughened, and rests upon the joist L, the front end of the ratchet bar F being
provided with cheeks or a face plate P with a slightly overhanging lip Q to
obtain a fair hold against and upon the edge of the floor board D, to push it close
into contact with its neighbour E.
Figure 4 represents the double legged fork as pivotted at the centre; for putting
this in action a wedge piece would be necessary.
Figures 5 and 6 represent a modification of appliances, in which the teeth of a
worm R engage into the teeth of the toothed bar F, and move it forward or back-
ward when the worm shaft S is rotated by the paul T acting on the ratchet
pinion U, when the lever handle G is operated. c, c, are wedges for fixing the
cramp when the double lug B is not pivotted.
Figures 7 and 8 is another modification; in this the worm R engages into a
worm wheel V, which is mounted to rotate on the threaded shaft or bar F, so as to
push it forward or backward by a rotating action.
Figures 9 and 10 show the end of the lever handle G slotted at W to push the
shoe X of the bar F along. The lever G is pivotted at Y, and the purchase paul T
engage into teeth formed on the top edge of the upright Z. a is a screw, and ba
plate operated by it to pinch the apparatus against the joists of a flooring, or against
the frames of a ship while she is being planked, or the deck boards are being
fitted on.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,—
First. The apparatus shown at Figures 1, 2, and 3, and arranged as described for
cramping floor boards in position.

page_text: Secondly. I claim the apparatus shown at Figures 5 and 6, and arranged as:
described as a floor cramp.
Thirdly. The apparatus shown at Figures 7 and 8, and arranged as described as.
a floor cramp.
Fourthly. The apparatus shown at Figures 9 and 10, and arranged as described
as a floor cramp.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Butler, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord. One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
GEORGE BUTLER. (L.S.)